QIPCO British Champions Day 2012 Media Guide - Ascot Racecourse

ASCOT, SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2012 

MEDIA GUIDE

The world’s best racehorse, Frankel, heads to post before the Juddmonte International Stakes at York

Table of Contents 

• Foreword 4 

• Background to the QIPCO British Champions Series & Day 5 

• Race Programme & Course Map 6 

• Horses remaining engaged in the five championship races: 

o QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup 7 

o QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes 8 

o QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes 9 

o Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO 10 

o QIPCO Champion Stakes 11 

• Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Roll of Honour since 1970 12 

• QIPCO Champion Stakes Roll of Honour since 1970 13 

• Key contenders in the QIPCO Champion Stakes 14-15 

• Key contenders in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 16-17 

• Key contenders in the three other championship races 18-19 

• Frankel Facts 20-21 

• Championship Race Winners with ratings since 2000 22 

• QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices Handicap 23 

• TV & Radio coverage 24 

• Pre-racing activities 25 

• Attractions ongoing throughout the day 26-27 

• Ticket & travel information 28 

• Structure of the QIPCO British Champions Series 29 

• 2013 Series Race Calendar 30 

• The World’s Highest-Rated Races 31 

• 2012 Series Race Winners 32 

• 2012 Series Horse Performance Tables 33-35 

• Trainer of the Series: table and contenders 36 

• Jockey of the Series: table and contenders 37 

• 2011 Series attracted the world’s highest-rated horses 38 

• 2011 Series Race Winners 39 

• Sectional Timing 40 

• QIPCO British Champions Series Fantasy Game 41 

• Performance of the Month & Horse of the Series 42 

• Frankie Dettori & Hayley Turner, Series Ambassadors 43 

• Website 44 

• Title Partner – QIPCO Holding 45 

• Key Press Releases 

o QIPCO’s new long-term sponsorship deal 46-47 

o QIPCO backs young riding talent 48 

o Frankel fever sells out Premier Admission 49 

o Capacity increased to 32,000 50 

o Frankel heads Champion 17 51-53 

• Contact list and media accreditation 54 

3

Foreword: Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series 

Last year’s inaugural £3 million QIPCO British Champions Day, Britain’s richest raceday and the 

season’s spectacular new climax, exceeded our expectations. 

Six of the world’s top 11 active racehorses took part, something which no other raceday in the 

world could match in 2011, and it attracted a modern day record crowd for an autumn Flat 

racing fixture in the UK of 26,749 racegoers. If proof were needed that there is a place in our 

racing calendar for this major new raceday, it was provided in no uncertain terms. 

This year has already seen a significant step forward, with a 20% bigger crowd guaranteed after 

all tickets sold out more than three weeks in advance – under 18s can still come in free if 

accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. 32,000 racegoers will be present at Ascot to watch the 

five championship races which provide the climax to the 35-race QIPCO British Champions 

Series, whilst the TV pictures will be shown in almost 100 countries across the world as well as 

on BBC1, At The Races and Racing UK here, ensuring a huge global audience. 

In last year’s QIPCO British Champions Series, 12 of the world’s top 16 horses in the 2011 

World Thoroughbred Rankings took part and this year is unlikely to be far behind. Of the 19 

horses that had posted 124+ international ratings in the world up to 16 September this year, 11 

have so far contested Series races with QIPCO British Champions Day still to come. 

We have been privileged to witness some scintillating races – the world’s best, Frankel, has led 

the way in sensational style adding another four Series victories to his four last year, with jawdropping 

performances in the Queen Anne Stakes and Juddmonte International; at Royal Ascot 

Colour Vision landed a memorable Gold Cup, ex-Australian star, So You Think, signed off in 

style in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, while current Australian superstar, Black Caviar, won a 

nail-biting Diamond Jubilee; Europe’s top filly, Danedream, just got the better of the Coral- 

Eclipse winner, Nathaniel, in the Betfair King George; and Camelot proved he was king of 

Europe’s three-year-old colts when displaying the speed to win the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and 

the stamina to blitz his rivals in the Investec Derby, before finding the elusive Triple Crown a 

step too far in the Ladbrokes St Leger. And that is to name just a few… 

Now Frankel is set to lead a host of stars to QIPCO British Champions Day for the spectacular 

finale that is owned by British racing and hosted by Ascot. 

Very special thanks to the owners and trainers who have supported the Series and who are 

bringing their stars for the big day on 20 October and to you, the media, for the fantastic 

coverage that you have again afforded it. 

Above all, I would like to thank QIPCO Holding for helping to make it all possible. Having signed 

up to the Series and the Day for an initial two years, they have extended their sponsorship for a 

further five in a deal which enables a £4m QIPCO British Champions Day within the term of the 

contract. The Series and Day are set to go from strength to strength - exciting times lie ahead. 

We hope you will enjoy a fantastic day at Ascot on Saturday 20 October when we will be looking 

to provide a shop window for all that is special about British Flat racing. 

4

Background to the QIPCO British Champions Series and 

QIPCO British Champions Day 

The QIPCO British Champions Series, now in its second year, unites the country’s top 35 Flat 

races under one banner, throwing the spotlight on the very best of British Flat racing and 

providing greater context to the season. Its main aim is to broaden the sport’s appeal in the UK. 

The best thoroughbred racehorses, the most talented jockeys and trainers, world renowned 

racecourses and top Flat races – including nine of the top 16 races worldwide on current official 

ratings - come together to create a unique offering for existing and new fans of racing. 

The QIPCO British Champions Series reaches its finale with QIPCO British Champions Day at 

Ascot racecourse on Saturday 20 October. Staged for the first time in 2011, it is Britain’s richest 

raceday with £3 million in prize money across the final races in the five Series categories. 

The race programme is headlined by the £1.3m QIPCO Champion Stakes over a mile and a 

quarter and the £1m Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO over a mile, the most 

valuable races run over their distances in Europe. 

The aim of the day was to create an established finale to the British racing season, something 

which it previously lacked, and attract the best horses to compete at it. The inaugural QIPCO 

British Champions Day was acclaimed by many as the best day’s racing in the world last year 

with six of the world’s top 11 active horses taking part and it attracted a crowd of 26,749 

racegoers to Ascot, a modern-day record for a Flat autumn raceday in Britain. 

Now, in only its second year, the event has sold out nearly three weeks in advance to guarantee 

a crowd of 32,000, 20% up on last year, though under-18s can still come in free if accompanied 

by an adult ticket-holder. 

The project to transform and modernise horseracing in the UK began in autumn 2008 with indepth 

consultation and research which led to the formation of Racing for Change. It represents 

all the key interests in British Racing, including the racecourses, owners, trainers, jockeys and 

breeders, all of whom are stakeholders in the QIPCO British Champions Series. 

The go-ahead for the creation of British Champions Day was given by the European Pattern 

Committee in late September 2010. That left just seven months until the first Series race and in 

that time a major title sponsor was secured in QIPCO Holding, which has this year extended the 

original two-year deal for another five years; the rights to televise QIPCO British Champions 

Day were sold, initially to the BBC for two years and now to Channel 4 who will cover all 35 

Series races live from 2013; executives were recruited to develop, promote and stage-manage 

the Series; a Series identity was created and a website was launched. 

In addition to QIPCO’s sponsorship, a substantial long-term investment by the shareholders - 

The Jockey Club, Ascot, York, Goodwood, Newbury and Arena, with Racing Enterprises Limited 

- has enabled this season-long event. Chris McFadden, Chairman of British Champions Series, 

said: “We’re in it for the long-term, aiming to maintain Britain’s status as the world-leading racing 

nation, promote top class racing in the UK and develop the sport’s commercial rights’ values.” 

In its first two years, the Series has witnessed one of the greatest racehorses of all time stake 

his claim to immortality, with Frankel winning eight Series races and now on target for number 

nine, which is likely to be the last of his unbeaten career, on QIPCO British Champions Day. 

5

Race Programme (gates open at 10.30am) 

1.45 £200,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 3*) 

2 miles (round course) 

2.20 £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint (Group 2*) 

6 furlongs (straight course) 

2.55 £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares (Group 2*) 

1 mile 4 furlongs (round course) 

3.30 £1,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (British 

Champions Mile) (Group 1) 

1 mile (straight course) 

4.05 £1,300,000 QIPCO Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) 

(Group 1) 

1 mile 2 furlongs (round course) 

4.45 £50,000 QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices Handicap** 

7 furlongs (straight course) 

* the two Group 2 races and one Group 3 contest are Group 1 races in all but name – there are 

no penalties to be carried by Group race winners and they have a Group 1 level of prize money 

** the QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices Handicap is the most valuable race in Europe for 

aspiring champion jockeys of the future and has doubled in value since last year 

Course Map 

6

Horses remaining engaged in the five championship races 

1:45 £200,000 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 3) 

2m 3YO+ Safety Factor/Maximum Figure 20 

List of 25 Horses Engaged as of Wednesday, October 3rd 2012 

Next Deadline is Confirmation by noon on Monday, October 15th 2012 

Supplementary Entries (£18,000) close by noon on Monday, October 15th 2012 

Horse Trainer Weight 

Aaim To Prosper (IRE) Brian Meehan 9st 7lb 

Aiken John Gosden 9st 7lb 

Askar Tau (FR) Marcus Tregoning 9st 7lb 

Brown Panther Tom Dascombe 9st 7lb 

Camborne John Gosden 9st 7lb 

Caucus John Gosden 9st 7lb 

Cavalryman Saeed bin Suroor 9st 7lb 

Colour Vision (FR) Saeed bin Suroor 9st 7lb 

Electrolyser (IRE) Clive Cox 9st 7lb 

Fame And Glory Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 9st 7lb 

High Jinx (IRE) James Fanshawe 9st 7lb 

Ile de Re (FR) Donald McCain 9st 7lb 

Kasbah Bliss (FR) Francois Doumen, France 9st 7lb 

Lone Ranger (FR) A. de Royer Dupre, France 9st 7lb 

Lost In The Moment (IRE) Saeed bin Suroor 9st 7lb 

Opinion Poll (IRE) Mahmood Al Zarooni 9st 7lb 

Rite Of Passage D. K. Weld, Ireland 9st 7lb 

Saddler's Rock (IRE) John M. Oxx, Ireland 9st 7lb 

Simenon (IRE) W. P. Mullins, Ireland 9st 7lb 

Songcraft (IRE) Saeed bin Suroor 9st 7lb 

Times Up John Dunlop 9st 7lb 

Vadamar (FR) M. Delzangles, France 9st 7lb 

Hawaafez Marcus Tregoning 9st 4lb 

I Have A Dream Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 8st 11lb 

Only A Pleasure (IRE) A. Fabre, France 8st 11lb 

• Last year’s 1 st Fame And Glory, 2 nd Opinion Poll, 3 rd Colour Vision and 5 th Times Up all 

remain engaged after the forfeit stage. 

• The winners of four of this year’s Long Distance Series races remain engaged – Colour 

Vision (Gold Cup), Saddler’s Rock (Artemis Goodwood Cup) and Times Up (Weatherbys 

Insurance Lonsdale Cup and Stobart Doncaster Cup), while Fame And Glory, Opinion 

Poll and Saddler’s Rock between them won five of the seven Series races last year. 

7

2:20 £250,000 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 2) 

6f 3YO+ Safety Factor/Maximum Figure 28 





Dandy Boy (ITY) David Marnane, Ireland 9st 0lb 

Delegator Saeed bin Suroor 9st 0lb 

Elusivity (IRE) Brian Meehan 9st 0lb 

Firebeam William Haggas 9st 0lb 

Hawkeyethenoo (IRE) Jim Goldie 9st 0lb 

Imperial Guest George Margarson 9st 0lb 

Jimmy Styles Clive Cox 9st 0lb 

Kingsgate Native (IRE) Robert Cowell 9st 0lb 

Libranno Richard Hannon 9st 0lb 

Maarek David Nagle, Ireland 9st 0lb 

Markab Henry Candy 9st 0lb 

Mayson Richard Fahey 9st 0lb 

Medicean Man Jeremy Gask 9st 0lb 

Royal Rock Chris Wall 9st 0lb 

Scarf (AUS) Saeed bin Suroor 9st 0lb 

Sirius Prospect (USA) Dean Ivory 9st 0lb 

Society Rock (IRE) James Fanshawe 9st 0lb 

Soul (AUS) Saeed bin Suroor 9st 0lb 

Spirit Quartz (IRE) Robert Cowell 9st 0lb 

Starspangledbanner (AUS) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 

9st 0lb 

The Cheka (IRE) Eve Johnson Houghton 9st 0lb 

Tiddliwinks Kevin Ryan 9st 0lb 

Waffle (IRE) David Barron 9st 0lb 

American Devil (FR) John Van Handenhove, France 8st 13lb 

Fulbright Mark Johnston 8st 13lb 

Reply (IRE) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 8st 13lb 

Slade Power (IRE) Edward Lynam, Ireland 8st 13lb 

Valbchek (IRE) Jeremy Noseda 8st 13lb 

Van Ellis Mark Johnston 8st 13lb 

Wizz Kid (IRE) Robert Collet, France 8st 11lb 

Angels Will Fall (IRE) Charles Hills 8st 10lb 

Restiadargent (FR) Henri Pantall, France 8st 10lb 

• Last year’s 2 nd Wizz Kid, 3 rd Libranno and 4 th Royal Rock all remain engaged after the 

forfeit stage. 

• The winners of two of this year’s Series Sprint races remain engaged – Mayson (Darley 

July Cup) and Society Rock (Betfred Sprint Cup). 

8

2:55 £250,000 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES STAKES (GROUP 2) 

1m 4f 3YO+ Safety Factor/Maximum Figure 19 





Dancing Rain (IRE) William Haggas 9st 3lb 

Hawaafez Marcus Tregoning 9st 3lb 

I'm A Dreamer (IRE) David Simcock 9st 3lb 

Jehannedarc (IRE) Alain de Royer Dupré, France 9st 3lb 

Khawlah (IRE) Saeed bin Suroor 9st 3lb 

La Pomme d'Amour André Fabre, France 9st 3lb 

Manieree (IRE) John M. Oxx, Ireland 9st 3lb 

Sajjhaa Saeed bin Suroor 9st 3lb 

Sapphire (IRE) Dermot Weld, Ireland 9st 3lb 

Shimmering Surf (IRE) Roger Varian 9st 3lb 

Solemia (IRE) Carlos Laffon-Parias, France 9st 3lb 

Testosterone (IRE) Ed Dunlop 9st 3lb 

Wild Coco (GER) Sir Henry Cecil 9st 3lb 

Ambivalent (IRE) Roger Varian 8st 10lb 

Beach of Falesa (IRE) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 8st 10lb 

Coquet Hughie Morrison 8st 10lb 

Dalkala (USA) Alain de Royer Dupré, France 8st 10lb 

Great Heavens John Gosden 8st 10lb 

Kailani Mahmood Al Zarooni 8st 10lb 

Princess Highway (USA) Dermot Weld, Ireland 

8st 10lb 

Ridasiyna (FR) Mikel Delzangles, France 8st 10lb 

Shirocco Star Hughie Morrison 8st 10lb 

Vow William Haggas 8st 10lb 

Was (IRE) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 8st 10lb 

• Last year’s winner, Dancing Rain, remains engaged after the forfeit stage as she seeks 

to regain her crown after nearly a year on the sidelines. 

• The race could see a clash between the last two Investec Oaks winners, Dancing Rain 

and Was, while this year’s Irish Oaks winner and Arc sixth, Great Heavens, has also 

stood her ground. 

• Three top class French-trained fillies, who all won on Arc weekend, remain engaged – 

the Arc winner herself, Solemia, the Opera winner, Ridasiyna, and the Royallieu winner, 

Dalkala. 

9

3:30 £1,000,000 QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES SPONSORED BY QIPCO (GROUP 1) 

1m 3YO+ Safety Factor/Maximum Figure 30 





Carlton House (USA) Sir Michael Stoute 9st 3lb 

Cityscape Roger Charlton 9st 3lb 

Excelebration (IRE) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 9st 3lb 

Indomito (GER) Andreas Wohler, Germany 9st 3lb 

Rio de La Plata (USA) Saeed bin Suroor 9st 3lb 

Side Glance Andrew Balding 9st 3lb 

Starspangledbanner (AUS) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 9st 3lb 

Declaration of War (USA) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 9st 0lb 

Most Improved (IRE) Brian Meehan 9st 0lb 

Reply (IRE) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 9st 0lb 

Requisition (IRE) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 9st 0lb 

Sovereign Debt (IRE) Michael Bell 9st 0lb 

Elusive Kate (USA) John Gosden 8st 11lb 

• The second and joint third highest-rated milers in the world behind Frankel this year, 

Excelebration and Cityscape, have stood their ground after the forfeit stage for Europe’s 

richest mile race. 

• Excelebration has won two Group 1 races in his career, both in France, but would have 

won three more in the UK had Frankel not be around, including this race last year when 

he finished four lengths behind the world number one. 

• Excelebration, Cityscape, and Elusive Kate could renew rivalry after finishing 1 st , 2 nd and 

3 rd in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in August. 

Trainers with runners engaged who have won the QE2 in the past: 

John GOSDEN (2) Observatory (2000), Raven’s Pass (2008) 

Aidan O’BRIEN (2) George Washington (2006), Rip Van Winkle (2009) 

Sir Michael STOUTE (3) Shadeed (1985), Milligram (1987), Zilzal (1989) 

Saeed bin SUROOR (5) Mark Of Esteem (1996), Dubai Millennium (1999), 

Summoner (2001), Ramonti (2007), Poet’s Voice (2010) 

Current jockeys to have won the QE2: 

Frankie DETTORI (5) Markofdistinction (1990), Mark Of Esteem (1996), 

Dubai Millennium (1999), Ramonti (2007), Poet’s Voice (2010) 

Jimmy FORTUNE (1) Raven’s Pass (2008) 

Darryll HOLLAND (1) Falbrav (2003) 

Christophe LEMAIRE (1) Stagecraft (2005) 

Johnny MURTAGH (1) Rip Van Winkle (2009) 

Olivier PESLIER (2) Air Express (1997), Desert Prince (1998) 

Tom QUEALLY (1) Frankel (2011) 

10

4:05 £1,300,000 QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES (GROUP 1) 

1m 2f 3YO+ Safety Factor/Maximum Figure 14 





Beaten Up William Haggas 9st 3lb 

Bullet Train Sir Henry Cecil 9st 3lb 

Cirrus des Aigles (FR) Mrs Corine Barande-Barbe, France 9st 3lb 

Frankel Sir Henry Cecil 9st 3lb 

Master of Hounds (USA) William Haggas 9st 3lb 

Nathaniel (IRE) John Gosden 9st 3lb 

Rio de La Plata (USA) Saeed bin Suroor 9st 3lb 

Robin Hood (IRE) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 9st 3lb 

St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 9st 3lb 

Giofra Alain de Royer Dupré, France 9st 0lb 

Izzi Top John Gosden 9st 0lb 

Camelot Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 8st 12lb 

Declaration of War (USA) Aidan O'Brien, Ireland 8st 12lb 

Kesampour (FR) Mikel Delzangles, France 8st 12lb 

Pastorius (GER) Mario Hofer, Germany 8st 12lb 

Saonois (FR) Jean-Pierre Gauvin, France 8st 12lb 

Ridasiyna (FR) Mikel Delzangles, France 8st 9lb 

• The highest, second highest and joint third highest-rated horses in the 2012 World 

Thoroughbred Rankings – Frankel (rated 140), Cirrus des Aigles (130), who won this 

race last year, and Nathaniel (126), fifth last year – have all stood their ground after the 

forfeit stage for the richest 10-furlong race in Europe. 

• The potential runners also include the winners of the English (Camelot), Irish (Camelot), 

French (Saonois) and German (Pastorius) Derbys, plus the Breeders’ Cup Turf and dual 

Investec Coronation Cup winner, St Nicholas Abbey. 

Trainers with runners engaged who have won the QIPCO Champion Stakes in the past: 

Corine BARANDE-BARBE (1) Cirrus des Aigles (2011) 

Sir Henry CECIL (4) Indian Skimmer (1988), Bosra Sham (1996), 

Twice Over (2009), Twice Over (2010) 

Alain de ROYER-DUPRE (1) Pride (2006) 

Current jockeys to have won the QIPCO Champion Stakes: 

Michael HILLS (1) Storming Home (2002) 

Christophe LEMAIRE (2) Pride (2006), Literato (2007) 

Kevin MANNING (1) New Approach (2008) 

Johnny MURTAGH (1) Kalanisi (2000) 

Tom QUEALLY (2) Twice Over (2009), Twice Over (2010) 

Christophe SOUMILLON (1) Cirrus des Aigles (2011) 

Jamie SPENCER (1) David Junior (2005) 

11

Rolls of Honour since 1970 for the two Group 1 races 

QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES SPONSORED BY QIPCO (GROUP 1) 

First run 1955; run at Newmarket in 2005 when Ascot was being redeveloped 

YEAR HORSE AGE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER 

1970 Welsh Pageant 4 Sandy Barclay Noel Murless Jim Joel 

1971 Brigadier Gerard 3 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop 


1973 Jan Ekels 4 Jimmy Lindley Guy Harwood Anthony Bodie 

1974 track waterlogged 

1975 Rose Bowl 3 Willie Carson Fulke Johnson HoughtonJane Engelhard 

1976 Rose Bowl 4 Willie Carson Fulke Johnson HoughtonJane Engelhard 

1977 Trusted 4 Willie Carson John Dunlop Duchess of Norfolk 

1978 Homing 3 Willie Carson Dick Hern 2nd Baron Rotherwick 

1979 Kris 3 Joe Mercer Henry Cecil Lord Howard de Walden 

1980 Known Fact 3 Willie Carson Jeremy Tree Khalid Abdulla 

1981 To-Agori-Mou 3 Lester Piggott Guy Harwood Andry Muinos 

1982 Buzzards Bay 4 Walter Swinburn Hugh Collingridge Vera McKinney 

1983 Sackford 3 Greville Starkey Guy Harwood Anthony Bodie 

1984 Teleprompter 4 Willie Carson Bill Watts 18th Earl of Derby 

1985 Shadeed 3 Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute Maktoum Al Maktoum 

1986 Sure Blade 3 Brent Thomson Barry Hills Sheikh Mohammed 

1987 Milligram 3 Pat Eddery Michael Stoute Helena Springfield Ltd 

1988 Warning 3 Pat Eddery Guy Harwood Khalid Abdulla 

1989 Zilzal 3 Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute Mana Al Maktoum 

1990 Markofdistinction 4 Frankie Dettori Luca Cumani Gerald Leigh 

1991 Selkirk 3 Ray Cochrane Ian Balding George Strawbridge 

1992 Lahib 4 Willie Carson John Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum 

1993 Bigstone 3 Pat Eddery Elie Lellouche Daniel Wildenstein 

1994 Maroof 4 Richard Hills Robert Armstrong Hamdan Al Maktoum 

1995 Bahri 3 Willie Carson John Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum 

1996 Mark of Esteem 3 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 

1997 Air Express 3 Olivier Peslier Clive Brittain Mohamed Obaida 

1998 Desert Prince 3 Olivier Peslier David Loder Lucayan Stud 

1999 Dubai Millennium 3 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 

2000 Observatory 3 Kevin Darley John Gosden Khalid Abdulla 

2001 Summoner 4 Richard Hills Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 

2002 Where Or When 3 Kevin Darley Terry Mills John Humphreys 

2003 Falbrav 5 Darryll Holland Luca Cumani Rencati / Yoshida 

2004 Rakti 5 Philip Robinson Michael Jarvis Gary Tanaka 

2005 Starcraft 5 Christophe LemaireLuca Cumani The Australian Syndicate 

2006 George Washington 3 Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor / Smith 

2007 Ramonti 5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 

2008 Raven's Pass 3 Jimmy Fortune John Gosden Princess Haya of Jordan 

2009 Rip Van Winkle 3 Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor / Smith 

2010 Poet's Voice 3 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 

2011 Frankel 3 Tom Queally Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdulla 

Frankel wins the 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 

12

QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES (GROUP 1) 

First run 1877; run at Newmarket up to 2010 

YEAR HORSE AGE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER 

1970 Lorenzaccio 5 Geoff Lewis Noel Murless Charles St George 



1973 Hurry Harriet 3 Jean Cruguet Paddy Mullins Malcolm Thorp 

1974 Giacometti 3 Lester Piggott Ryan Price Charles St George 

1975 Rose Bowl 3 Willie Carson Fulke Johnson Houghton Jane Engelhard 

1976 Vitiges 3 Pat Eddery Peter Walwyn Mrs Marc Laloum 

1977 Flying Water 4 Yves Saint-Martin Angel Penna Daniel Wildenstein 

1978 Swiss Maid 3 Greville Starkey Paul Kelleway Max Fine 

1979 Northern Baby 3 Philippe Paquet François Boutin Anne-Marie d'Estainville 

1980 Cairn Rouge 3 Tony Murray Michael Cunningham D. Brady 

1981 Vayrann 3 Yves Saint-Martin François Mathet HH Aga Khan IV 

1982 Time Charter 3 Billy Newnes Henry Candy Robert Barnett 

1983 Cormorant Wood 3 Steve Cauthen Barry Hills Bobby McAlpine 

1984 Palace Music 3 Yves Saint-Martin Patrick Biancone Nelson Bunker Hunt 

1985 Pebbles 4 Pat Eddery Clive Brittain Sheikh Mohammed 

1986 Triptych 4 Tony Cruz Patrick Biancone Alan Clore 

1987 Triptych 5 Tony Cruz Patrick Biancone Alan Clore 

1988 Indian Skimmer 4 Michael Roberts Henry Cecil Sheikh Mohammed 

1989 Legal Case 3 Ray Cochrane Luca Cumani Sir Gordon White 

1990 In the Groove 3 Steve Cauthen David Elsworth Brian Cooper 

1991 Tel Quel 3 Thierry Jarnet André Fabre Sheikh Mohammed 

1992 Rodrigo de Triano 3 Lester Piggott Peter Chapple-Hyam Robert Sangster 

1993 Hatoof 4 Walter Swinburn Criquette Head Maktoum Al Maktoum 

1994 Dernier Empereur 4 Sylvain Guillot André Fabre Gary Tanaka 

1995 Spectrum 3 John Reid Peter Chapple-Hyam Lord Weinstock 

1996 Bosra Sham 3 Pat Eddery Henry Cecil Wafic Said 

1997 Pilsudski 5 Michael Kinane Michael Stoute Lord Weinstock 

1998 Alborada 3 George Duffield Sir Mark Prescott Kirsten Rausing 

1999 Alborada 4 George Duffield Sir Mark Prescott Kirsten Rausing 

2000 Kalanisi 4 Johnny Murtagh Sir Michael Stoute HH Aga Khan IV 

2001 Nayef 3 Richard Hills Marcus Tregoning Hamdan Al Maktoum 

2002 Storming Home 4 Michael Hills Barry Hills Maktoum Al Maktoum 

2003 Rakti 4 Philip Robinson Michael Jarvis Gary Tanaka 

2004 Haafhd 3 Richard Hills Barry Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 

2005 David Junior 3 Jamie Spencer Brian Meehan Roldvale Ltd 

2006 Pride 6 Christophe Lemaire Alain de Royer-Dupré NP Bloodstock Ltd 

2007 Literato 3 Christophe Lemaire Jean-Claude Rouget Hervé Morin 

2008 New Approach 3 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger Princess Haya of Jordan 

2009 Twice Over 4 Tom Queally Henry Cecil Khalid Abdulla 

2010 Twice Over 5 Tom Queally Henry Cecil Khalid Abdulla 

2011 Cirrus des Aigles 5 Christophe Soumillon Corine Barande-Barbe Jean-Claude Dupouy 

Cirrus des Aigles wins the 2011 QIPCO Champion Stakes 

13

Key contenders in the QIPCO Champion Stakes 

FRANKEL – the highest-rated horse in the world on 140 and perhaps the greatest thoroughbred 

of all time. Unbeaten in 13 races for owner Khalid Abdulla, trainer Sir Henry Cecil and jockey 

Tom Queally, his most recent victory was by an easy seven lengths in the 10-furlong Juddmonte 

International (G.1) at York in August, the first time that the four-year-old had raced beyond a 

mile. That performance earned him a 

rating of 140, as did his 11 length victory 

over Excelebration in the Queen Anne 

Stakes (G.1) over a mile at Royal Ascot 

in June, making him the first horse ever 

to achieve a 140 rating twice in his 

career. Last year he won the Queen 

Elizabeth II Stakes (G.1) over a mile on 

QIPCO British Champions Day, while 

this time he will contest the QIPCO 

Champion Stakes (G.1) over 10 furlongs, 

chasing his 14 th career victory and his 

ninth successive Group 1 triumph in 

what is expected to be the final start of his glittering racing career. In all he has won eight 

QIPCO British Champions Series races (no other horse has won more than two since the Series 

was created), but at Ascot he is likely to have his biggest test so far against the second and joint 

third highest-rated racehorses in the world so far this year. See “Frankel Facts” on pages 20-21 

for more information on the world’s greatest racehorse. 

13 career starts: 13 wins 

9 Group 1 starts: 9 wins 

Career earnings: £2,261,072 

CIRRUS DES AIGLES – late developer and the second highest-rated horse on 130 behind 

Frankel in the 2012 World Thoroughbred Rankings (went up by two pounds following his Prix 

Dollar victory on 6 October). Brilliant winner of last year’s QIPCO Champion Stakes (G.1) for 

French trainer Corine Barande-Barbe, defeating So You Think, Snow Fairy, Midday and 

Nathaniel to record his first Group 1 

victory at the age of five. Added two 

more top level races this year, the 12- 

furlong Dubai Sheema Classic (G.1) at 

Meydan in March, defeating multiple 

Group 1 winner St Nicholas Abbey, and 

the 11-furlong Prix Ganay (G.1) at 

Longchamp in April by an easy eight 

lengths from Group 1 winners Giofra, 

Reliable Man and Wigmore Hall. Hacked 

up by nine lengths in the 10-furlong Prix 

Dollar (G.2) at Longchamp on 6 October 

following four months on the sidelines 

after an ankle injury and a drugs inquiry, which saw him disqualified (currently under appeal) 

from second place in the nine-furlong Prix d’Ispahan (G.1) in May. The six-year-old gelding is 

reported to be in great shape for the defence of his QIPCO Champion Stakes crown. 

44 career starts: 16 wins, 16 seconds, 5 thirds, (7 unplaced) 

11 Group 1 starts: 3 wins, 3 seconds (later disqualified from one), 1 third, (4 unplaced) 


14

NATHANIEL – joint third highest-rated horse in the 2012 World Thoroughbred Rankings on 126 

for trainer John Gosden. Brilliant winner of the 12 furlong King George VI and Queen Elizabeth 

Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) (G.1) at Ascot in July 2011. Nose runner-up to Danedream in the 

same race in 2012, just prior to which he had won the 10-furlong Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G.1) at 

Sandown Park and after which he 

finished second to Snow Fairy in the 10- 

furlong Irish Champion Stakes (G.1). 

Missed the 2011 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de 

Triomphe (G.1) at Longchamp due to the 

fast ground and the 2012 edition due to 

illness, but now reported to be 

recovering quickly and on target for the 

QIPCO Champion Stakes (G.1) in which 

he finished fifth last year, 3¼ lengths 

behind Cirrus des Aigles on good ground 

(Nathaniel excels on softer ground). In their first ever racecourse appearances, Nathaniel ran 

Frankel to half a length in a maiden at Newmarket in August 2010, the closest any horse has 

ever got to the world number one. 

10 career starts: 4 wins, 5 seconds, (1 fifth) 

4 Group 1 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, (1 fifth) 


Other acceptors to note 

The winners of all the main European Derbys are still engaged – Camelot (English and Irish), 

Saonois (French) and Pastorius (German). Camelot is highly unlikely to run after his seventh 

place in the Arc, but Saonois (eased when his chance in the Arc had gone) could run and 

Pastorius (who won his prep race in Germany on 3 October) is reported as a very likely 

contender. 

The 1-2-3 from the Prix de l’Opera (G.1), Ridasiyna, Izzi Top and Giofra, all individual Group 1 

winners, are entered, as is the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G.1) and dual Investec Coronation Cup 

(G.1) winner St Nicholas Abbey, although he was well beaten in the Arc last time out. 

2012 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) winner Saonois 

15

Key contenders in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO 

EXCELEBRATION – easily the second best miler in the world this year behind Frankel with a 

World Thoroughbred Ranking of 125. Winner of two Group 1 races, both in France – last 

season’s Prix Du Moulin (G.1) at Longchamp on very soft ground (defeating Rio De La Plata, a 

possible QE2 rival, by 1½ lengths) and this season’s Prix Jacques Le Marois (G.1) at Deauville 

on good ground (in which he beat 

Cityscape and Elusive Kate, potential 

QE2 rivals, into second and third by 1¼ 

lengths and a neck). Finished behind 

Frankel on five occasions (four second 

places, including this race last year and 

the JLT Lockinge Stakes (G.1) and 

Queen Anne Stakes (G.1) this year, and 

one third place) and would have won five 

Group 1s had the great horse not been 

around. With no Frankel in the Queen 

Elizabeth II Stakes (G.1), Europe’s most 

valuable mile race, Excelebration has a 

great chance to go one better than last 

year and win the biggest prize of his career. He was trained by Marco Botti in Newmarket at two 

and three, but has been with Aidan O’Brien in Ireland for his four-year-old season. 

13 career starts: 7 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, (1 fourth) 

6 Group 1 starts: 2 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third 


CITYSCAPE – the joint third-highest rated miler in the world this year (with USA star Wise Dan) 

after Frankel and Excelebration on an international rating of 124 (though Wise Dan may be 

awarded a higher rating when the next edition of the World Thoroughbred Rankings is 

released). Cityscape, who runs in the Frankel colours of owner Khalid Abdulla and is trained by 

Roger Charlton, achieved that mark in 

the nine-furlong Dubai Duty Free (G.1) at 

Meydan in March when he bolted clear 

to win by 4¼ lengths. His best run since 

was when a 1¼ lengths second to 

Excelebration in the Prix Jacques Le 

Marois (G.1) at Deauville in August and 

he followed that with a well-beaten third 

to Wise Dan in the Woodbine Mile (G.1) 

at Toronto in September. He looked a 

big threat to Nathaniel in the 10-furlong 

Coral-Eclipse (G.1) at Sandown Park in 

July with two furlongs to run, but did not 

stay the trip and faded into fourth, while 

last season he ran a fine race to finish third to Canford Cliffs and Goldikova in the Queen Anne 

Stakes (G.1) over the QE2 course and distance at Royal Ascot. 

21 career starts: 6 wins, 8 seconds, 2 thirds, (5 unplaced) 

10 Group 1 starts: 1 win, 3 seconds, 2 thirds, (4 unplaced) 


16

ELUSIVE KATE – last season’s top juvenile filly, Elusive Kate, the impressive winner of the Prix 

Marcel-Boussac (G.1) at Longchamp a year ago, started her three-year-old campaign midway 

through the year. In her four 2012 starts, all at Group 1 level, she has won once and never been 

beaten by more than a length and a half in the other three. First up was the Etihad Airways 

Falmouth Stakes (G.1) at Newmarket in 

July on soft ground, which would not 

have been ideal. Yet she still ran Giofra 

very close, going down by just half a 

length, and she followed that with a 

comfortable victory in the Prix Rothschild 

(G.1) at Deauville. The John Gosdentrained 

filly’s best performance came 

when she took on the colts for the first 

time, finishing 1½ lengths behind 

Excelebration when third in the Prix 

Jacques Le Marois (G.1), again at 

Deauville. In her most recent start, she 

was beaten ¾ length by Siyouma in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G.1) at 

Newmarket. 

10 career starts: 5 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, (2 unplaced) 

5 Group 1 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third 

Career earnings: £478,393 

Other acceptors to note 

Most Improved, winner of the 2012 St James’s Palace Stakes (G.1) at the Royal Meeting, 

remains engaged, as does Carlton House, owned by The Queen and looking to recapture the 

form that saw him finish a close third in last year’s Investec Derby (G.1) and a good second to 

So You Think in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G.1) at this year’s Royal Meeting in June. 

Most Improved after his 2012 St James’s Palace victory 

Carlton House wins the 2011 Dante Stakes at York 

17

The other three Championship Races 

The £200,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup 

All the top stayers in Britain and Ireland remain engaged in the opening race on QIPCO British 

Champions Day. 

Fame And Glory, winner of this race 12 months ago and of last 

season’s Gold Cup (G.1) at Royal Ascot, both times comfortably 

beating Opinion Poll, may look to defend his crown after below 

par runs on his last two outings. 

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Fame And Glory also won the 2008 

Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G.1), the 2009 Irish Derby (G.1), the 

2010 Tattersalls Gold Cup (G.1) and the 2010 Investec Coronation Cup (G.1). 

Last year’s second, Opinion Poll, and third, Colour Vision, who were one-two in this year’s 

Gold Cup for Godolphin when Colour Vision just got the better of Opinion Poll, both remain 

engaged. Opinion Poll won the Artemis Goodwood Cup (G.2) and Weatherbys Insurance 

Lonsdale Cup (G.2) last year, but has been sidelined since Royal Ascot this year. Colour Vision 

finished third in the Prix du Cadran (G.1) on Arc Day this October. 

This year’s Gold Cup third, Saddler’s Rock, who won last year’s Stobart Doncaster Cup (G.2) 

and this year’s Artemis Goodwood Cup, is also a possible, as is Times Up, fifth in this race last 

year and winner of the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup and Stobart Doncaster Cup this 

season. In both those races he defeated the fast improving High Jinx, runner-up in the Prix du 

Cadran on his latest start, who is another to stand his ground after the forfeit stage. 

The £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 

Wizz Kid, runner-up in this race last year and winner of the Prix de l’Abbaye (G.1) on Arc Day in 

Paris on her latest start, may look to go one better in the second year of the QIPCO British 

Champions Sprint. 

Society Rock, winner of last year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G.1) and this year’s Betfred Sprint 

Cup (G.1), remains engaged together with Mayson, winner of this year’s Darley July Cup (G.1) 

and runner-up to Wizz Kid in the Abbaye. 

Starspangledbanner, who defeated Society Rock in the 2010 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G.1) 

and also took the 2010 Darley July Cup (G.1) having previously landed two Group 1s in his 

native Australia, could look to recapture that level of form after failing at stud. 

Kingsgate Native triumphed in the 2007 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (G.1) and the 2008 

Diamond Jubilee (G.1) and looks to be recapturing a better level of form once again for new 

trainer Robert Cowell, while Cowell also has the improving Spirit Quartz, narrowly defeated by 

Australian raider Ortensia in this year’s Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (G.1). 

Libranno and Royal Rock, third and fourth behind Deacon Blues and Wizz Kid in this race a 

year ago, are also engaged. 

18

The £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes* 

Dancing Rain, victorious in this race last year as well as in the Investec Oaks (G.1) and the 

German Oaks (G.1), is on target to defend her crown in her first race of the season having been 

sidelined with injury since early in the year. 

Liam Norris, who purchased Dancing Rain and oversees the racing interests of owners Martin 

and Lee Taylor, revealed on 3 October: "The QIPCO British 

Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes is where we want to go with 

Dancing Rain and she is on target for the race. 

"She had two small chips removed from both front fetlock joints 

earlier in the season. She came back to me after that and we 

nursed her back through. She did really well. 

"She looks fantastic now and is a big, strong filly - much bigger than she was last year. She is in 

good form now and we are keeping everything crossed that we will have her at Ascot on 

October 20.” 

She could lock horns with this year’s Investec Oaks (G.1) winner, Was, and the runner-up, 

Shirocco Star, as well as the Irish Oaks (G.1) winner, Great Heavens, who was a good sixth in 

the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G.1) on her most recent start. 

Solemia, dramatic winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G.1) and Ridasiyna, the Prix de 

l’Opera (G.1) winner on the same card, are both entered for France as is the impressive course 

and distance winner Princess Highway from Ireland, who bolted up in the Ribblesdale Stakes 

(G.2) at Royal Ascot. 

Another French entry is Dalkala, who narrowly beat Shirocco Star in the Prix de Royalieu (G.2) 

at Longchamp on Arc weekend. 

I’m A Dreamer, winner of the Beverly D. Stakes (G.1) at Arlington Park in the USA in August, is 

engaged, as is Wild Coco, the impressive winner of a Group 3 and a Group 2 on her last two 

starts. 

*as well as £141,775 in first place prize money, the winning connections will also receive a free 

nomination to the stallion Makfi courtesy of the sponsors QIPCO, who stand the horse under the 

Qatar Bloodstock banner at Tweenhills Stud. The nomination is worth £25,000. 

19

Frankel Facts 

• Frankel has won 13 races out of 13 races by an aggregate margin of 74½ 

lengths, an average winning distance of 5.7 lengths, winning £2,261,072 in prize 

money. Race number 14, the QIPCO Champion Stakes, is likely to be his last 

before he retires to stud and if he wins by far the most valuable race that he has 

contested to date, he will collect another £737,230 in prize money. 

• 294,000 racegoers have witnessed Frankel’s 13 victories, more than three times 

the number that attend a Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. 

• Frankel is officially the highest-rated horse in the world on a rating of 140, 

towering above the next highest-rated horse this year, his main QIPCO 

Champion Stakes rival, Cirrus des Aigles, who is rated 130. Since international 

ratings were introduced in 1977, only one horse has achieved a rating higher 

than Frankel – Dancing Brave in 1986, who was rated 141 and was also owned 

by Khalid Abdulla. Can Frankel match or eclipse that mark in the QIPCO 

Champion Stakes With one length roughly equivalent to 1¾ pounds, he would 

need to beat Cirrus des Aigles (assuming he is deemed to have run to form) by 

just over 6 lengths to be sure of achieving 141. 

• Frankel is the first horse in history to run to an official rating of 140 twice. He did 

so in the Queen Anne Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte 

International over a mile and a quarter at York. 

• His Timeform rating of 147 awarded after the Queen Anne Stakes is the highest 

in Timeform's 64-year history. It puts him ahead of the likes of Sea Bird (born 

1962, rated 145), Brigadier Gerard (born 1968, rated 144) and Tudor Minstrel 

(born 1944, rated 144), while Timeform only have Dancing Brave on 140. 

• 13 horses have won two races in the QIPCO British Champions Series races 

since its inception last year – Canford Cliffs, Dream Ahead, Blue Bunting, 

Dancing Rain, Fame And Glory, Opinion Poll, So You Think, Nathaniel, St 

Nicholas Abbey, Camelot, Society Rock, Saddler’s Rock and Times Up – but 

only one horse, Frankel, has won more than that. Remarkably he has won no 

less than eight Series races to stamp his mark in no uncertain terms and he will 

look to make it nine on QIPCO British Champions Day. 

• After winning the Juddmonte International Stakes at York, Frankel surpassed 

the record for consecutive wins in European Group 1 races set by Rock Of 

Gibraltar 10 years ago. He has won eight Group 1s in a row (nine in total) and 

can make it nine in a row (10 in total) on QIPCO British Champions Day. 

• His starting price on his debut was 7-4, the only time he has ever been oddsagainst. 

His shortest starting price was 1-20 in this year’s QIPCO Sussex Stakes 

at Goodwood when he became the first horse in history to win that race twice. 

20

• Frankel’s owner-trainer-jockey combination of Khalid Abdulla, Sir Henry Cecil 

and Tom Queally are seeking their third QIPCO Champion Stakes victory in four 

years having won the race in 2009 and 2010, when it was run at Newmarket, with 

Twice Over. 

• Frankel is valued at a record-breaking £100 million as a future stallion and is 

expected to command a covering fee of around £100,000. Conversely his biggest 

rival in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, the winner of the race last year, Cirrus des 

Aigles, is worthless in breeding terms as he has been gelded. 

• Frankel’s life began in box number five of the Foaling Unit at Banstead Manor 

Stud in Newmarket, Suffolk, where he was born at 11.40pm on 11 February 

2008. He weighed 123lb (8 stone 11lbs) – a bit heavier than a Flat jockey. His 

height now is 163.8cm or 16hh 1/2 inch. 

• He was named after one of the greatest American trainers of all time, Bobby 

Frankel, who died in November 2009 and who trained very successfully for 

Frankel’s owner, Khalid Abdulla. 

• He went into training with Sir Henry Cecil on 14 January 2010, having first 

completed his pre-training in Ireland. 

• When Frankel arrived at Sir Henry’s Newmarket yard, he went into one of the 

barns used for yearlings. Towards the middle of his two-year-old career, he was 

moved to a “bigger and better” box. However, he did not like it and would not 

settle, so had to be moved back. The team attempted to move him again, later in 

the year, but the same thing happened. He clearly prefers his original box, which 

now boasts CCTV – a must when stabling a horse of such value. 

• He eats three feeds each day and snacks on English hay – older horses usually 

eat American hay, but this proved a little too rich for Frankel. For his main feed, 

he eats corn, alfalfa chaff and bran, and likes a carrot treat. He also has a 

calcium supplement to keep his bones in good shape. He eats more than any 

other horse in the yard – about 23lbs of Canadian oats per day, which is the 

equivalent of approximately 600 Weetabix biscuits. 

• He has the largest feet in Sir Henry Cecil’s yard and wears size 7½ shoes in front 

and size 7 behind. 

• He is looked after by a small team of people, consisting of stable lad, Sandeep 

Gauravaram, head girl, Dee Deacon, work rider, Shane Fetherstonhaugh, vet, 

Charlie Smith, and farrier, Stephen Kielt, all of whom are overseen by assistant 

trainer, Mike Marshall, and Sir Henry Cecil himself. They describe Frankel as a 

very inquisitive character who always likes to know what is going on, adding that 

he is naturally competitive and knows that he is something special. 

21

Recent winners of the championship races with end of season ratings 

QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES SPONSORED BY QIPCO (GROUP 1) 

(highest-rated winner 136, average 125.9) 

YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER 

2000 126 Observatory K.Darley J.Gosden 

2001 122 Summoner R.Hills S.bin Suroor 

2002 123 Where Or When K.Darley T.Mills 

2003 127 Falbrav D.Holland L.Cumani 

2004 123 Rakti P.Robinson M.Jarvis 

2005 124 Starcraft C.Lemaire L.Cumani 

2006 127 George Washington M.Kinane A.O’Brien 

2007 123 Ramonti F.Dettori S.Bin Suroor 

2008 129 Raven’s Pass J.Fortune J.Gosden 

2009 129 Rip Van Winkle J.Murtagh A.O’Brien 

2010 122 Poet’s Voice F.Dettori S.bin Suroor 

2011 136 Frankel T.Queally Sir H.Cecil 

QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES (GROUP 1) 

(highest-rated winner 130, average 124.0) 

2000 126 Kalanisi J.Murtagh Sir M.Stoute 

2001 121 Nayef R.Hills M.Tregoning 

2002 121 Storming Home M.Hills B.Hills 

2003 121 Rakti P.Robinson M.Jarvis 

2004 124 Haafhd R.Hills B.Hills 

2005 123 David Junior J.Spencer B.Meehan 

2006 123 Pride C.Lemaire A.De Royer Dupre 

2007 123 Literato C.Lemaire J.C.Rouget 

2008 130 New Approach K.Manning J.Bolger 

2009 123 Twice Over T.Queally H.Cecil 

2010 125 Twice Over T.Queally H.Cecil 

2011 128 Cirrus des Aigles C.Soumillon Mrs C.Barande-Barbe 

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 2) 

2011 120 Deacon Blues J.Murtagh J.Fanshawe 

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES STAKES (GROUP 2) 

2011 117 Dancing Rain J.Murtagh W.Haggas 

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 3) 

2011 121 Fame And Glory J.Spencer A.O’Brien 

Note: While the three championship races above all replaced existing races from the Flat racing 

programme (the Diadem Stakes at Ascot became the QIPCO British Champions Sprint, the 

Pride Stakes at Newmarket became the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes and 

the Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket became the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup), 

to all intents and purposes they are brand new contests. Each now has Group 1 conditions (i.e. 

no penalties) and Group 1 prize money, giving them a completely different profile. 

22

The QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices Handicap 

Working holiday of a lifetime for the winning rider 

The sixth and final race on the card is the £50,000 QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices’ Handicap 

over seven furlongs at 4.45pm, which has doubled in prize money from last year and is by far 

the richest race for apprentice jockeys in Europe. 

The race provides a fantastic opportunity for aspiring British champions of the future to 

demonstrate their skills in the saddle on the highest profile raceday of the year. 

QIPCO Holding have already given our up-and-coming young jockeys a chance to shine on 

some of British Flat racing’s biggest stages this season having also sponsored valuable 

apprentice races at Glorious Goodwood and York’s Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival. 

Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore, Paul Hanagan, William Buick, Tom Queally, Jimmy Fortune and 

Hayley Turner were all crowned Champion Apprentice in their youth – who will be the next 

apprentice to prove a professional star 

For the winning rider, there will be a special prize – a working holiday in the USA courtesy of 

QIPCO, with one of the trainers used by their racehorse-owning subsidiaries, Pearl Bloodstock 

and Qatar Bloodstock. 

“Staging Europe’s most valuable apprentices’ race to close the card will give the future stars of 

our sport the chance to share some of the limelight on QIPCO British Champions Day, taking to 

the track just after the world’s greatest racehorse is due to compete in the QIPCO Champion 

Stakes,” said Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Ltd. 

Currently Amy Ryan and Darren Egan are battling it out for title of UK Champion Apprentice for 

the 2012 season. 

Amy Ryan 

Darren Egan 

23

TV & Radio Coverage 

BBC1 covering the five championship races live 

BBC television will be covering all five championship races live on BBC1 and BBC1 HD in a 

special three-hour programme, running from 1.30pm - 4.30pm and presented by Clare Balding. 

BBC Radio 5 Live 

5 Live Sport, the station’s flagship Saturday afternoon programme, will be hosted live from 

Ascot. 

At The Races and Racing UK both televising the full card 

In a deal agreed at the time that QIPCO British Champions Day was created, both At The 

Races and Racing UK will cover all six races live on their racing channels. 

International TV coverage 

Through BBC Worldwide, QIPCO British Champions Day will be available in 84 countries with 

the confirmed live takers: 

Dubai Sports Channel 

Supersport 

Eurosport Asia 

Sport 5 

BeIN Sport 

(Pan Middle East – 17 Countries) 

(Pan Africa – 48 Countries) 

(Pan Asia – 17 Countries) 

(Israel) 

(France) 

The following countries will be taking a betting shop feed of the day through GBI: 

Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, USA, Canada, France, Germany, 

Holland, Denmark, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Romania, Azerbaijan, Malta. 

Ascot TV presentation team 

Racing UK presenter Oli Bell, who has gained extensive international broadcasting experience 

in Australia, CNN’s Amanda Davies and currently side-lined jockey Steve Drowne will be 

bringing QIPCO British Champions Day to racegoers, with Richard Hoiles commentating. 

Rupert Bell will be handling the post-race interviews with the winning connections. These will 

also be taken by At The Races and Racing UK, as well as by international broadcasters utilising 

the world feed. 

Steve Drowne will be the expert guest on Ascot TV 

24

Pre-racing activities 

British Equestrian Federation Demonstrations (Old Paddock Lawns) 

Demonstrations from some of the leading riders and horsemen in their field, including Reining, 

Carriage Driving, Eventing, Show Jumping and Dressage (subject to the state of the ground in 

the demonstration area), featuring some of the development riders from the BEF team and 

commentary from leading performers and coaches. 

Clare Balding Kids Q&A Session (Parade Ring) and Book Signing (Grandstand) 

Children are invited to bring their parents and participate from inside the Parade Ring and ask 

Clare almost anything – her favourite pet, which horse she most admires or even her favourite 

type of biscuit! Clare will then sign copies of her book ‘My Animals and Other Family’ in the 

Grandstand for a short while afterwards. 

Parade of Team GB Olympians and Paralympians (Parade Ring) 

Team GB medal winners, including Peter Charles and Nick Skelton (Show Jumping), Carl 

Hester and Charlotte Dujardin (Dressage), Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Zara Phillips and Nicola 

Wilson (Three-Day Eventing), Natasha Baker, Sophie Wells, Deborah Criddle and Sophie 

Christiansen (Paralympic Dressage) will appear in the Parade Ring before racing. 

Pre-Racing Tipster Panel (Parade Ring) 

Some of the best judges in racing will preview the card for the benefit of racegoers. 

Jockey Master Class (‘Jockey School’ – Old Paddock Lawns) 

Former Champion Jockey, Kevin Darley, will put the lucky winner of ‘Jockey School’ through 

their paces on a mechanical horse, as well as demonstrations from some of the apprentice 

jockeys riding in the last race. 

Autograph Signing with Legendary Jockeys Frankie Dettori, Michael Kinane and Kevin 

Darley 

Tickets for the signing, which will take place at the east end of the Parade Ring, are available to 

the first 100 racegoers to register interest. 

Michael Kinane will sign autographs before racing 

25

Jockey School (Old Paddock Lawns) 

Attractions ongoing throughout the day 

Think race riding is easy Think you’ve got what it takes Why not find out… We’ve got British 

Racing School qualified instructors ready to put you through your paces – if you graduate from 

Jockey School, you could win a master class with former Champion Jockey Kevin Darley later 

this afternoon. 

Take Back The Reins (Old Paddock Lawns) 

Never sat on a horse before Well, try out a simulator first – the British Equestrian Federation 

can give you a leg up and get you started on the road to Rio 2016 as part of their London legacy 

project, Hoof. 

Horsepower Exhibition (Grandstand) 

Ever wondered how Frankel shapes up to a sports car Now you can find out – with exhibits 

including a limited edition Triumph motorcycle, a single seater racing car from Silverstone and a 

Jaguar XJ Supersport. 

London 2012 Show Jumps and Cross Country Fences (Old Paddock Lawns) 

Didn’t get tickets to London 2012 Well, you can check out some of the fences that were used 

in the equestrian competitions and even get some photos with them, including the iconic 

‘Saturn’ cross country fence and the ‘London Bus’ show jump. 

Pony Rides (Old Paddock Lawns) 

For all those budding Frankie Dettori wannabes out there, you can go home saying you’ve 

ridden at Ascot Racecourse on British Champions Day. OK, it wasn’t in a race…but nobody 

needs to know that! 

Frankel’s Career Timeline (East End of the Grandstand) 

Follow the career of Frankel in a race by race timeline laid out in the Ascot Grandstand – over 

the length of his cumulative winning distance in his 13 races so far: a staggering 178m! 

Meet the Racehorse (Old Paddock Lawns) 

Monsignor, who has attended most QIPCO British Champions Series racedays over the last two 

years, is back – so if you want to actually get up close and personal with a thoroughbred, pay 

him a visit. If you want to guarantee a friendly reception, take him a Polo… 

Felix Francis Book Signing (Grandstand) 

Felix Francis, son of legendary author Dick Francis, will be signing copies of his new book 

‘Bloodline’ at 13.00-14.00 and 15.00-16.00 in the Ascot Grandstand. 

26

Amanda Lockhart Book Signing (Grandstand) 

Amanda’s stunning photo book ‘The Art of the Race’ charts the activity behind the scenes of 

racing. She will be signing copies of her book throughout the afternoon in the Grandstand. 

A Different Kind of Horse Power (Cedar Tree Lawn and next to the Parade Ring) 

Triumph and Jaguar showcase some horse power of a different sort, with the new Jaguar 

SportBreak and some of Triumph’s most iconic motorcycles on display. There are also vehicles 

liveried in Frankel colours for you to get your photograph with. 

Touch Screen Photo Kiosks (Grandstand) 

Want to take home photos of the day We have two touch screen photo kiosks on site where 

you can order prints taken by professional photographers within minutes of the shutter closing. 

They will then be delivered to your home a few days later. 

QIPCO British Champions Series Merchandise (next to the Parade Ring) 

Take home a memento of your day at the best day’s racing in the world – British Champions 

Series and Frankel merchandise is available from the QIPCO British Champions Series 

Merchandise Store at the west end of the Parade Ring. 

A Frankel cap is just one of a host of items that will be on sale at the merchandise store 

27

Ticket Information 

All adult tickets have been sold, but ticket holders are able to bring children under 18 years 

of age free of charge (note that all under 18s must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult). 

Parking is free in car park 6. 

Travelling to Ascot 

Ascot Racecourse is ideally situated in beautiful, wooded countryside adjoining Windsor Great 

Park and about a 50-minute drive or train journey from London. 

Located close to the M3, M4, M40 & M25 motorways and to London Heathrow for international 

visitors, Ascot offers easy access for all racegoers wherever their departure point. 

By Road 

From London and the North 

M4 Junction 6 onto the A332 Windsor by-pass and follow the signs to Ascot. 

From the West 

M4 Junction 10 to the A329(M) signed to Bracknell and follow the signs to Ascot. 

From the South and East 

M3 Junction 3 onto the A332 signed to Bracknell and follow the signs to Ascot. 

From the Midlands 

M40 southbound, Junction 4. Take the A404 towards the M4 (Junction 8/9). On the M4 head 

towards Heathrow / London. Leave M4 at Junction 6 and follow A332 Windsor by-pass to Ascot. 

For up to date travel information tune into BBC Radio Berkshire on 94.5FM or 104.1FM or log 

onto www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire before you leave to receive a local traffic update. 

By Rail 

There is a frequent service to Ascot from both Reading and London Waterloo using South West 

Trains. The average journey time is 27 minutes from Reading and 52 minutes from Waterloo, 

although because of engineering work on 20 October, the journey from London will follow a 

different route to normal (trains will not stop at Richmond and Twickenham, from where a 

replacement bus service will take passengers to Hounslow) and will take around 7 minutes 

longer. The railway station is a seven-minute walk from the Racecourse. 

28

The Structure of the QIPCO British Champions Series 

The QIPCO British Champions Series is comprised of five categories: 

• Sprint 

• Mile 

• Middle Distance 

• Long Distance 

• Fillies & Mares 

Each features the seven highest-rated races in that category, culminating in a same-day finale 

on QIPCO British Champions Day on 20 October 2012. 

With a total prize money pot of well over £13 million, the Series is staged across ten of the UK’s 

leading racecourses: 

• Ascot 

• Doncaster 

• Epsom Downs 

• Goodwood 

• Haydock Park 

• Newbury 

• Newmarket’s Rowley Mile 

• Newmarket’s July Course 

• Sandown Park 

• York 

The Series encompasses British Flat racing’s key festivals, including: 

• The QIPCO Guineas Festival at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile 

• The Investec Derby Festival at Epsom 

• Royal Ascot 

• The Piper Heidsieck July Festival at Newmarket’s July Course 

• Betfair Weekend at Ascot 

• Glorious Goodwood 

• The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York 

• The Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster 

29

2013 Series Race Calendar 

Whilst in its first two years the QIPCO British Champions Series has been broadcast across 

both BBC and Channel 4, from 2013 all races will be shown on Channel 4 following a new 

broadcast deal for British racing signed in 2012. 

May 

04 May The QIPCO 2000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket Mile Ch4 

05 May The QIPCO 1000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket Fillies & Mares Ch4 

17 May The Sportingbet Yorkshire Cup, York Long Distance Ch4 

18 May The JLT Lockinge Stakes, Newbury Mile Ch4 

25 May The betfred.com Temple Stakes, Haydock Park Sprint Ch4 

31 May The Investec Oaks, Epsom Downs Fillies & Mares Ch4 

31 May The Investec Coronation Cup, Epsom Downs Middle Distance Ch4 

June 

01 June The Investec Derby, Epsom Downs Middle Distance Ch4 

18 June The Queen Anne Stakes, Royal Ascot Mile Ch4 

18 June The King’s Stand Stakes, Royal Ascot Sprint Ch4 

18 June The St James’s Palace Stakes, Royal Ascot Mile Ch4 

19 June The Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Royal Ascot Middle Distance Ch4 

20 June The Gold Cup, Royal Ascot Long Distance Ch4 

21 June The Coronation Stakes, Royal Ascot Fillies & Mares Ch4 

22 June The Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Royal Ascot Sprint Ch4 

July 

06 July The Coral-Eclipse Stakes, Sandown Park Middle Distance Ch4 

12 July The Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes, Newmarket Fillies & Mares Ch4 

13 July The Darley July Cup, Newmarket Sprint Ch4 

27 July The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Middle Distance Ch4 

(sponsored by Betfair), Ascot 

31 July The QIPCO Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Mile Ch4 

August 

01 August The Artemis Goodwood Cup, Goodwood Long Distance Ch4 

03 August The Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes, Goodwood Fillies & Mares Ch4 

21 August The Juddmonte International Stakes, York Middle Distance Ch4 

22 August The Darley Yorkshire Oaks, York Fillies & Mares Ch4 

23 August The Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, York Sprint Ch4 

24 August The Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup, York Long Distance Ch4 

September 

07 September The Betfred Sprint Cup, Haydock Park Sprint Ch4 

13 September The Stobart Doncaster Cup, Doncaster Long Distance Ch4 

14 September The Ladbrokes St Leger, Doncaster Long Distance Ch4 

27 September The Nayef Joel Stakes, Newmarket Mile Ch4 

October 

19 October The QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup, 

Ascot 

Long Distance 

19 October The QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes, Ascot Sprint Ch4 

19 October The QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes, Fillies & Mares Ch4 

Ascot 

19 October The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO Mile 

Ch4 

(British Champions Mile), Ascot 

19 October The QIPCO Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle 

Distance), Ascot 

Middle Distance Ch4 

Ch4 

30

The World’s Highest-Rated Races 

QIPCO British Champions Series has no less than nine of the world’s top-rated races, based on 

the official three-year average ratings of the first four horses to finish in each race (2009-2011). 

France and the USA have three each and Ireland one: 

1. Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe France 126.42 

2. Breeders’ Cup Classic USA 124.58 

3. Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO UK – QBCS 123.33 

4= QIPCO Sussex Stakes UK – QBCS 123.00 

4= Breeders’ Cup Mile USA 123.00 

6. Prix Jacques Le Marois France 122.75 

7. QIPCO Champion Stakes UK – QBCS 122.58 

8= Investec Derby UK – QBCS 122.42 

8= Coral-Eclipse Stakes UK – QBCS 122.42 

8= Irish Champion Stakes Ireland 122.42 

11= King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes 

(sponsored by Betfair) UK – QBCS 121.92 

11= Prix de la Foret France 121.92 

13. Prince of Wales’s Stakes UK – QBCS 121.67 

14. St James’s Palace Stakes UK – QBCS 121.50 

15. Breeders’ Cup Turf USA 121.42 

16. QIPCO 2000 Guineas UK – QBCS 121.33 

Based purely on the races in 2011, the rankings look even better for British racing with seven of 

the world’s top 10 races in the QIPCO British Champions Series: 

1. Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe France 126.25 

2. Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO UK – QBCS 125.75 

3. QIPCO Champion Stakes UK – QBCS 125.50 

4. QIPCO Sussex Stakes UK – QBCS 125.00 

5. Prix Ganay France 124.00 

6. St James’s Palace Stakes UK – QBCS 123.75 

7. Queen Anne Stakes UK – QBCS 123.25 

8. Coral-Eclipse Stakes UK – QBCS 122.75 

9. Prince of Wales’s Stakes UK – QBCS 122.50 

10. Breeders’ Cup Classic USA 122.25 

Thanks mainly to Frankel, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes was the second highest-rated race in the world last year 

31

2012 Series Race Winners 

The Sprint division: 

1. Betfred.com Temple Stakes (5f, 3yo+), Haydock Park, 26 May – BATED BREATH 

2. King’s Stand Stakes (5f, 3yo+), Royal Ascot, 19 June – LITTLE BRIDGE 

3. Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6f, 3yo+), Royal Ascot, 23 June – BLACK CAVIAR 

4. Darley July Cup (6f, 3yo+), Newmarket, 14 July – MAYSON 

5. Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (5f, 2yo+), York, 24 August – ORTENSIA 

6. Betfred Sprint Cup (6f, 3yo+), Haydock Park, 8 September – SOCIETY ROCK 

7. QIPCO British Champions Sprint (6f, 3yo+), Ascot, 20 October 

The Mile division: 

1. QIPCO 2000 Guineas (1m, 3yo), Newmarket, 5 May – CAMELOT 

2. JLT Lockinge Stakes (1m, 4yo+), Newbury, 19 May – FRANKEL 

3. Queen Anne Stakes (1m, 4yo+), Royal Ascot, 19 June – FRANKEL 

4. St James’s Palace Stakes (1m, 3yo), Royal Ascot, 19 June – MOST IMPROVED 

5. QIPCO Sussex Stakes (1m, 3yo+), Goodwood, 1 August – FRANKEL 

6. Nayef Joel Stakes (1m, 3yo+), Newmarket, Friday 28 September – PENITENT 

7. Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (1m, 3yo+) , Ascot, 20 October 

The Middle Distance division: 

1. Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup (sponsored by Investec) (1½ miles, 4yo+), Epsom, 2 June 

– ST NICHOLAS ABBEY 

2. Investec Derby (1½ miles, 3yo), Epsom, 2 June – CAMELOT 

3. Prince of Wales’s Stakes (1¼ miles, 4yo+), Royal Ascot, 20 June – SO YOU THINK 

4. Coral-Eclipse Stakes (1¼ miles, 3yo+), Sandown Park, 7 July – NATHANIEL 

5. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Sponsored by Betfair (1½ miles, 3yo+), Ascot, 21 

July – DANEDREAM 

6. Juddmonte International (1¼ miles, 3yo+), York, 22 August – FRANKEL 

7. QIPCO Champion Stakes (1¼ miles, 3yo+), Ascot, 20 October 

The Long Distance division: 

1. Sportingbet Yorkshire Cup (1¾m, 4yo+) York, 18 May – RED CADEAUX 

2. Gold Cup (2½m, 4yo+), Royal Ascot, 21 June – COLOUR VISION 

3. Artemis Goodwood Cup (2m, 3yo+), Goodwood, 2 August – SADDLER’S ROCK 

4. Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup (2m, 3yo+ ), York, 25 August – TIMES UP 

5. Stobart Doncaster Cup (2¼m 3yo+), Doncaster, 14 September – TIMES UP 

6. Ladbrokes St Leger (1¾m , 3yo), Doncaster, 15 September – ENCKE 

7. QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (2m, 3yo+), 20 October 

The Fillies & Mares division: 

1. QIPCO 1000 Guineas (1m, 3yo), Newmarket, 6 May – HOMECOMING QUEEN 

2. Investec Oaks (1½ miles, 3yo), Epsom, 1 June – WAS 

3. Coronation Stakes (1m, 3yo), Royal Ascot, 22 June – FALLEN FOR YOU 

4. Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes (1m, 3yo+), Newmarket, 13 July – GIOFRA 

5. Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes (1¼ miles, 3yo+), Goodwood, 4 August – THE FUGUE 

6. Darley Yorkshire Oaks (1½ miles, 3yo+), York, 23 August – SHARETA 

7. QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (1½ miles, 3yo+), Ascot, 20 October 

32

QIPCO British Champions Series 2012 Performance Tables 

NOTE: These tables use the official performance ratings awarded by the British Horseracing 

Authority handicappers to the first three horses to finish in each QIPCO British Champions 

Series race. 

Performance ratings may retrospectively be changed if the handicappers revise their ratings for 

a race in the light of subsequent results. 

Overall Series Performance Table 

HORSE RACE CATEGORY PERFORMANCE 

RATING 

1 Frankel Queen Anne Stakes Mile & 140 

& Juddmonte 

International Stakes 

Middle 

Distance 

2= Excelebration JLT Lockinge Stakes Mile 125 

2= Nathaniel Coral-Eclipse Stakes Middle 125 

& Betfair King 

George 

Distance 

2= So You Think Prince of Wales’s Middle 125 

Stakes 

Distance 

5= Camelot Investec Derby Middle 124 

Distance 

5= Farhh Juddmonte 

Middle 124 

International 

5= St Nicholas Abbey Investec Coronation 

Cup & Juddmonte 

International 

Distance 

Middle 

Distance 

124 

8 Danedream Betfair King George Middle 122 

Distance 

9= Encke Ladbrokes St Leger Long 

120 

Distance 

9= Homecoming QIPCO 1000 Fillies & 120 

Queen 

Guineas 

Mares 

9= Little Bridge King’s Stand Stakes Sprint 120 

Frankel dominates the 2012 QIPCO British Champions Series 

33

Sprint Performance Table 

HORSE RACE PERFORMANCE 

RATING 

1 Little Bridge King’s Stand Stakes 120 

2 Mayson Darley July Cup 119 

3 Bated Breath King’s Stand Stakes 118 

4= Black Caviar Diamond Jubilee Stakes 117 

4= Society Rock Betfred Sprint Cup 117 

4= Spirit Quartz Coolmore Nunthorpe 117 

Stakes 

7= Gordon Lord Byron Betfred Sprint Cup 115 

7= Ortensia Coolmore Nunthorpe 115 

Stakes 

7= Sole Power King’s Stand Stakes & 115 

Betfred Temple Stakes 

7= Moonlight Cloud Diamond Jubilee Stakes 115 

11 Restiadargent Diamond Jubilee Stakes 114 

Mile Performance Table 


RATING 

1 Frankel Queen Anne Stakes 140 

2 Excelebration JLT Lockinge Stakes 125 

3 Camelot QIPCO 2000 Guineas 119 

4 French Fifteen QIPCO 2000 Guineas 118 

5 Dubawi Gold JLT Lockinge Stakes 117 

6 Most Improved St James’s Palace 116 

Stakes 

7= Farhh QIPCO Sussex Stakes 115 

7= Penitent Nayef Joel Stakes 115 

9= Hermival QIPCO 2000 Guineas 114 

9= Gregorian St James’s Palace 114 

Stakes 

9= Side Glance Queen Anne Stakes 114 

Middle Distance Performance Table 

HORSE RACE RATING 

1 Frankel Juddmonte International 140 

2= Nathaniel Coral-Eclipse Stakes & 125 

Betfair King George 

2= So You Think Prince of Wales’s Stakes 125 

4= Camelot Investec Derby 124 

4= St Nicholas Abbey Investec Coronation Cup 124 

& Juddmonte 

International 

4= Farhh Judmonte International 124 

7 Danedream Betfair King George 122 

8 Carlton House Prince of Wales’s Stakes 119 

9 Twice Over Coral-Eclipse Stakes 117 

34

Long Distance Performance Table 


RATING 

1 Encke Ladbrokes St Leger 120 

2 Camelot Ladbrokes St Leger 119 

3 Colour Vision Gold Cup 117 

4= Opinion Poll Gold Cup 116 

4= Red Cadeaux Sportingbet Yorkshire 116 

Cup 

6=Michelangelo Ladbrokes St Leger 115 

6= Saddler’s Rock Gold Cup 115 

8 Times Up Weatherbys Insurance 114 

Lonsdale Cup 

9 Glen’s Diamond Sportingbet Yorkshire 113 

Cup 

10= High Jinx Weatherbys Insurance 111 

Lonsdale Cup & Stobart 

Doncaster Cup 

10= Harris Tweed Sportingbet Yorkshire 111 

Cup 

10= Askar Tau Artemis Goodwood Cup 111 

Fillies & Mares Performance Table 


RATING 

1 Homecoming Queen QIPCO 1000 Guineas 120 

2= Fallen For You Coronation Stakes 117 

2= Shareta Darley Yorkshire Oaks 117 

4= The Fugue Markel Insurance 116 

Nassau Stakes & Darley 

Yorkshire Oaks 

4= Giofra Etihad Airways Falmouth 116 

Stakes 

6 Elusive Kate Etihad Airways Falmouth 115 

Stakes 

7= Siyouma Etihad Airways Falmouth 113 

Stakes 

7= Was Investec Oaks & Darley 113 

Yorkshire Oaks 

9= Shirocco Star Investec Oaks 112 

9= Timepiece Markel Insurance 112 

Nassau Stakes 

35

Trainer of the Series 

TRAINER POINTS WIN-2ND-3RD 

1 Aidan O’Brien 180 6 - 3 - 6 

2 John Gosden 130 3 - 5 - 4 

3 Sir Henry Cecil 95 4 - 1 - 1 

4 Saeed bin Suroor 65 1 - 3 - 3 

5 James Fanshawe 45 1 - 2 - 1 

6= John Dunlop 40 2 - 0 - 0 

6= Alain de Royer Dupré 40 2 - 0 - 0 

Points are awarded on a 20-10-5 basis to the trainers of the first three horses in each QIPCO British 

Champions Series race. In the event of a tie, the number of winners (and, if necessary, second places) 

will be taken into account. The Trainer of the Series will be presented with a specially commissioned 

trophy on QIPCO British Champions Day. 

O’Brien Looks Home and Hosed 

While John Gosden has a fantastic chance of securing the UK Trainers’ 

Championship for the first time, the QIPCO British Champions Series 

elite championship, which applies only to the top 35 races in the UK, 

looks destined to go to Ireland’s champion trainer, Aidan O’Brien. 

O’Brien, who has trained six winners in the Series so far this year, has a 

50-point lead over Gosden plus is set to saddle the hot favourite for the 

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO, Excelebration. Last 

year’s award winner, Sir Henry Cecil, is in third place. 

O’Brien’s six Series winners to date in 2012 are: 

Camelot (QIPCO 2000 Guineas) 

Homecoming Queen (QIPCO 1000 Guineas) 

Was (Investec Oaks) 

St Nicholas Abbey (Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup sponsored by Investec) 

Camelot (Investec Derby) 

So You Think (Prince of Wales’s Stakes) 

Gosden’s three are: 

Fallen For You (Coronation Stakes) 

Nathaniel (Coral-Eclipse Stakes) 

The Fugue (Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes) 

36

Jockey of the Series 

JOCKEY POINTS WIN-2ND-3RD 

1 Joseph O’Brien 125 4 - 3 - 3 

2 William Buick 110 4 - 2 - 2 

3 Tom Queally 95 4 - 1 - 1 

4 Frankie Dettori 85 1 - 5 - 3 

5 Ryan Moore 60 1 - 2 - 4 

6 Jimmy Fortune 45 0 - 4 - 1 

7 Kieren Fallon 40 2 - 0 - 0 

Points are awarded on a 20-10-5 basis to the jockeys of the first three horses in each QIPCO British 

Champions Series race. In the event of a tie, the number of winners (and, if necessary, second places) 

will be taken into account. The Jockey of the Series will be presented with a specially commissioned 

trophy on QIPCO British Champions Day. 

O’Brien and Buick look set to fight it out, while Queally has an outside chance 

Joseph O’Brien carries a 15-point lead over William Buick into QIPCO 

British Champions Day in the elite jockeys’ championship. Both have 

ridden four Series winners this year to date, but O’Brien has an extra 

second and third place to his name. 

Tom Queally has also ridden four winners – all on Frankel – and will be 

banking on a fifth in the QIPCO Champion Stakes. He would need at 

least a second place as well, perhaps on Wild Coco in the Fillies & 

Mares, to have a chance of retaining the title which he won last year. 

O’Brien’s four Series winners to date in 2012 are: 

Camelot (QIPCO 2000 Guineas) 

St Nicholas Abbey (Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup sponsored by Investec) 

Camelot (Investec Derby) 

So You Think (Prince of Wales’s Stakes) 

Buick’s four are: 

Fallen For You (Coronation Stakes) 

Nathaniel (Coral-Eclipse Stakes) 

Ortensia (Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes) 

Times Up (Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup) 

37

2011 Series attracted the World’s Highest-Rated Horses 

No less than 12 of the world’s top 16 Flat horses, eight of which were home trained, raced in the 

inaugural QIPCO British Champions Series during 2011 according to the end-of-year World 

Thoroughbred Rankings. 

The world’s best horse, Frankel (rated 136 at the time), led the way with seven other Britishtrained 

horses below him amongst those rated 124 or above – Canford Cliffs (127), Rewilding 

(127), Dream Ahead (126), Excelebration (126), Nathaniel (126), Twice Over (125) and 

Workforce (125). 

The four overseas stars in the world’s top 16 to race in the Series were Cirrus des Aigles (128) 

and Goldikova (124) from France and So You Think (126) and St Nicholas Abbey (124) from 

Ireland. 

Amongst the top-rated horses, only Australian sprinting sensation Black Caviar (132) and the 

brilliant German-trained Arc winner Danedream (128) did not race in Britain last season, but 

both won QIPCO British Champions Series races this year. The other two international horses 

at the lower end of the top 16 were Singapore star Rocket Man (125) and the American-trained 

Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Drosselmeyer (124), a dirt racing specialist. 

All 12 of those that did race here in 2011 finished first or second in British Group 1 races, 

providing a vintage year for the top level of Flat racing in this country. 

Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series, said at the announcement of the 

World Thoroughbred Rankings in January: 

“It was a sensational year for Flat racing in this country. The introduction of the QIPCO British 

Champions Series to showcase our top races and the creation of QIPCO British Champions 

Day as the new climax to our season were truly blessed by the star quality of the main 

participants. 

“With Frankel set to return this year together with a plethora of the other top horses from last 

year and with the world’s second best horse, Black Caviar, on course to make her European 

debut at Royal Ascot in June, we could be set for something even more spectacular in 2012.” 

Frankel set the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Series alight 

38

2011 Series Race Winners 

The Sprint division: 

1. Betfred.com Temple Stakes (5f, 3yo+), Haydock Park, 21 May – SOLE POWER 

2. King’s Stand Stakes (5f, 3yo+), Royal Ascot, 14 June – PROHIBIT 

3. Golden Jubilee Stakes (6f, 3yo+), Royal Ascot, 18 June – SOCIETY ROCK 

4. Darley July Cup (6f, 3yo+), Newmarket, 9 July – DREAM AHEAD 

5. Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (5f, 2yo+), York, 19 August – MARGOT DID 

6. Betfred Sprint Cup (6f, 3yo+), Haydock Park, 3 September – DREAM AHEAD 

7. QIPCO British Champions Sprint (6f, 3yo+), Ascot, 15 October – DEACON BLUES 

The Mile division: 

1. QIPCO 2000 Guineas (1m, 3yo), Newmarket, 30 April – FRANKEL 

2. JLT Lockinge Stakes (1m, 4yo+), Newbury, 14 May – CANFORD CLIFFS 

3. Queen Anne Stakes (1m, 4yo+), Royal Ascot, 14 June – CANFORD CLIFFS 

4. St James’s Palace Stakes (1m, 3yo), Royal Ascot, 14 June – FRANKEL 

5. QIPCO Sussex Stakes (1m, 3yo+), Goodwood, 27 July – FRANKEL 

6. Nayef Joel Stakes (1m, 3yo+), Newmarket, 23 September – RANSOM NOTE 

7. Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (1m, 3yo+), Ascot,15 October – FRANKEL 

The Middle Distance division: 

1. Investec Coronation Cup (1½ miles, 4yo+), Epsom, 3 June – ST NICHOLAS ABBEY 

2. Investec Derby (1½ miles, 3yo), Epsom, 4 June – POUR MOI 

3. Prince of Wales’s Stakes (1¼ miles, 4yo+), Royal Ascot, 15 June – REWILDING 

4. Coral-Eclipse Stakes (1¼ miles, 3yo+), Sandown Park, 2 July – SO YOU THINK 

5. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) (1½ miles, 3yo+), Ascot, 

23 July – NATHANIEL 

6. Juddmonte International (1¼ miles, 3yo+), York, 17 August – TWICE OVER 

7. QIPCO Champion Stakes (1¼ miles, 3yo+), Ascot, 15 October – CIRRUS DES AIGLES 

The Long Distance division: 

1. Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup (1¾m, 4yo+) York, 13 May – DUNCAN 

2. Gold Cup (2½m, 4yo+), Royal Ascot, 16 June – FAME AND GLORY 

3. Artemis Goodwood Cup (2m, 3yo+), Goodwood, 28 July – OPINION POLL 

4. Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup (2m, 3yo+), York, 20 August – OPINION POLL 

5. Stobart Doncaster Cup (2¼m 3yo+), Doncaster, 9 September – SADDLER’S ROCK 

6. Ladbrokes St Leger (1¾m , 3yo), Doncaster, 10 September – MASKED MARVEL 

7. QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (2m, 3yo+), 15 October – FAME AND 

GLORY 

The Fillies & Mares division: 

1. QIPCO 1000 Guineas (1m, 3yo), Newmarket, 1 May – BLUE BUNTING 

2. Investec Oaks (1½ miles, 3yo), Epsom, 3 June – DANCING RAIN 

3. Coronation Stakes (1m, 3yo), Royal Ascot, 17 June – IMMORTAL VERSE 

4. Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes (1m, 3yo+), Newmarket, 8 July – TIMEPIECE 

5. Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes (1¼ miles, 3yo+), Goodwood, 30 July – MIDDAY 

6. Darley Yorkshire Oaks (1½ miles, 3yo+), York, 18 August – BLUE BUNTING 

7. QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (1½ miles, 3yo+), Ascot, 15 October – 

DANCING RAIN 

39

Sectional Timing rolled out across 2012 Series 

Following its successful deployment at the climax of last year’s inaugural QIPCO British 

Champions Series, QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot, sectional timing from TurfTrax has 

been rolled out across two-thirds of the Series races in 2012 in a joint deal between British 

Champions Series and the four racecourses – Newmarket, Ascot, Goodwood and York. 

As well as providing the time that every horse takes to cover each individual furlong, allowing 

post-race analysis to reveal, for instance, at what stage of the race the winner made its decisive 

move, TV graphics provide the leader’s current speed and show the fluctuating order of the 

leaders as the race unfolds. 

In total 21 racedays were included in the deal, including the whole of five iconic racing festivals - 

the QIPCO Guineas Festival at Newmarket, Royal Ascot, the Piper Heidsieck July Festival at 

Newmarket, Glorious Goodwood and the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York – as well 

as QIPCO British Champions Day itself. 

Every race has been covered on the participating racedays, comprising 17 QIPCO British 

Champions Series fixtures and four days which do not feature a Series race - Dubai Future 

Champions Day at Newmarket, when many of the stars of next year’s Series are likely to be in 

action, day one of the Piper Heidsieck July Festival at Newmarket and days one and four of 

Glorious Goodwood. 

The following racedays have been/are being covered, with the 23 QIPCO British Champions 

Series races included in the TurfTrax deal detailed under each fixture: 

QIPCO Guineas Festival, Newmarket Rowley Mile, 5-6 May 

QIPCO 2000 Guineas, QIPCO 1000 Guineas 

Royal Ascot, 19-23 June 

Queen Anne Stakes, King’s Stand Stakes, St James’s Palace Stakes, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, 

Gold Cup, Coronation Stakes, Diamond Jubilee Stakes 

Piper Heidsieck July Festival, Newmarket, 12-14 July 

Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes, Darley July Cup 

Glorious Goodwood, 31 July-4 August 

QIPCO Sussex Stakes, Artemis Goodwood Cup, Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes 

Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, York, 22-25 August 

Juddmonte International Stakes, Darley Yorkshire Oaks, Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, 

Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup 

Dubai Future Champions Day, Newmarket Rowley Mile, 13 October 

QIPCO British Champions Day, Ascot, 20 October 

QIPCO Champion Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO, QIPCO British 

Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes, QIPCO British 

Champions Long Distance Cup 

Rod Street, Chief Executive of QIPCO British Champions Series, said at the time of the 

announcement in March 2012: “All sports need to embrace technology and although installing 

sectional timing at British racecourses is challenging and costly given the unique layout of many 

of our tracks, it is something which we believe can play an increasingly important role in the 

appreciation and analysis of our sport.” 

40

Fantasy Game Launched 

QIPCO British Champions Series, the Daily Telegraph and Racing Post launched a brand new, 

free-to-enter fantasy game in April, with players having the opportunity to score points across all 

35 races in the 2012 Series, starting with the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday 

5 May. 

It has provided over 20,000 people who entered, many of whom are general sports fans, with an 

interest in the elite level of Flat racing throughout the season. In particular it has engaged many 

fantasy football players into the QIPCO British Champions Series. 

After selecting a stable of five trainers and five jockeys at the outset, players then select two 

horses per race during the Series to augment their points-scoring potential. They also got to 

choose their own stable name and create their own stable colours. 

The overall prize is a VIP day for four at a 2013 QIPCO British Champions Series raceday and a 

framed set of their stable silks, signed by Frankie Dettori, who fronted an advertising campaign 

with trainer Brian Meehan to promote the game. 

There were also prizes for different segments of the Series and for the highest points scorer in 

each of the five Series categories – Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Long Distance and Fillies & 

Mares. 

Particularly popular have been the private and public leagues which form a key part of the 

competition. Groups of friends and work colleagues can play against each other for bragging 

rights in their own leagues, perhaps competing for the prestigious ‘office champion’ title, at the 

same time as taking part in the overall competition. They are also able to see how they are 

faring against Frankie Dettori, who has his own public league, and other racing professionals. 

QIPCO British Champions Series Chief Executive, Rod Street, said back in April: “We see this 

new game as a great way to heighten interest in the very best of British Flat racing, which is 

precisely why the QIPCO British Champions Series itself was launched last year. 

“We are lucky enough to have the best horses in the world competing in this country and now 

there’s an exciting, free-to-enter competition which we hope will generate increased excitement 

for racing fans as well as enticing general sports enthusiasts to get involved.” 

41

Performance of the Month & Horse of the Series 

New for 2012 has been a public vote for the Performance of the Month in a QIPCO British 

Champions Series race, leading to an end of season vote for Horse of the Series. 

Voting has been taking place on the Series website: www.britishchampionsseries.com 

An expert panel was chosen to provide their shortlist of performances from which the public will 

be offered the opportunity to vote: 

Michael Owen, the Stoke City and former England striker who owns and breeds racehorses 

including the 2011 Ladbrokes St Leger runner-up, Brown Panther. 

Alex Hammond, Sky Sports News presenter and racing correspondent. 

Cornelius Lysaght, BBC Radio’s acclaimed racing correspondent. 

Nick Luck, Channel 4 Racing and Racing UK presenter who has been voted Broadcaster of the 

Year four times in the last five years by the Horserace Writers’ and Photographers’ Association. 

Lee Mottershead, Racing Post journalist and Horserace Writers’ and Photographers’ 

Association Journalist of the Year in 2011 

The monthly winners so far have been: 

• QIPCO 2000 Guineas (5 May) to Investec Derby (2 June) - 8 races: 

CAMELOT’S INVESTEC DERBY VICTORY 

• Royal Ascot (19-23 June) - 7 races: 

FRANKEL’S QUEEN ANNE VICTORY 

• Coral-Eclipse Stakes (7 July) to Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes (4 August) - 7 races: 

DANEDREAM’S BETFAIR KING GEORGE VICTORY 

• Juddmonte International (22 August) to Nayef Joel Stakes (28 September) - 8 races: 

FRANKEL’S JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL VICTORY 

• QIPCO British Champions Day (20 October) - 5 races 

Following QIPCO British Champions Day, the panel will not only create a shortlist of candidates 

for the outstanding performance on QIPCO British Champions Day, but they will also draw up a 

list of contenders for Horse of the Series for the public to vote on. 

Everyone who votes will automatically enter a free prize draw to win tickets to QIPCO British 

Champions Series racedays in 2013. 

“We see this as a great way to engage the racing public in the Series,” said British Champions 

Series Chief Executive, Rod Street. 

42

Frankie Dettori and Hayley Turner, 

QIPCO British Champions Series Ambassadors 

Leading jockey and racing celebrity Frankie Dettori has again been an ambassador for the 

QIPCO British Champions Series. He rode five winners in the inaugural Series last year, 

bettered only by Tom Queally with six, and while he has so far ridden only one winner this year 

(Colour Vision in the Gold Cup), his five seconds and three third places have helped him to a 

total of 85 points to put him fourth in the Jockey of the Series table. 

Frankie in his QIPCO silks 

This year Frankie has been joined by Britain’s leading female rider, Hayley Turner, who has also 

had an ambassadorial role. Hayley rode two Series winners last year, the first two Group 1 

victories of her burgeoning career. 

Hayley Turner 

43

Website 

A multimedia website supports the QIPCO British Champions Series, featuring the latest 

information, news, pictures and footage from the Series. The site is a one-stop-shop for 

everyone interested in the races, jockeys, trainers, courses plus more. 

Visit: www.britishchampionsseries.com 

44

Title Partner – QIPCO Holding 

The Series is sponsored by QIPCO Holding, one of the leading private investment companies in 

Qatar. Established in 1999, QIPCO Holding has a diverse range of interests, including real 

estate, construction, oil and gas, finance and health services. Its portfolio of interests includes 

Qatar Bloodstock, which owns the stallion Makfi, the winner of the 2010 2000 Guineas. 

Qatar Investment & Projects Development Holding Company (QIPCO Holding) is owned by six 

brothers who are members of the Royal Family of Qatar. The Chief Executive is Sheikh Hamad 

bin Abdullah Al Thani, who together with his brothers are nephews of the Emir of the State of 

Qatar. 

Over time, the group has diversified to form individual subsidiaries, each operating 

independently and specialising in their fields of expertise. For more information visit: 

www.qipco.com.qa 

QIPCO Holding initially signed a two-year agreement with British Champions Series (2011- 

2012) and has followed that by extending the deal for a further five years (2013-2017). 

As the Title Partner, QIPCO enjoys exclusive naming rights for the Series and full partnership 

rights for the £3 million British Champions Day climax at Ascot. The new deal enables a £4 

million Day to be possible within the term of the contract. 

As part of the deal, QIPCO is also the official partner of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket’s 

Rowley Mile, which launches the British Champions Series with the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, 

and the prestigious Sussex Stakes, a key QIPCO British Champions Series race staged as part 

of the Glorious Goodwood festival. 

The QIPCO 2000 Guineas, which Camelot won this year, launches the QIPCO British Champions Series 

45

Key Press Releases 

QIPCO AND BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES 

ANNOUNCE NEW LONG-TERM DEAL 

£4m QIPCO British Champions Day on the horizon 

24 July 2012 - QIPCO Holding has today signed a new contract to extend its sponsorship of the 

British Champions Series and British Champions Day for a further five years in an improved 

deal which enables a £4m QIPCO British Champions Day within the term of the enhanced new 

contract. 

The Day is currently worth £3m, already by far the most valuable raceday in this country. 

The improved deal secures ongoing title sponsorship of the QIPCO British Champions Series, 

including full partnership rights for its starting point at the QIPCO Guineas Festival at 

Newmarket, the QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Goodwood mid-way through the Series, and the 

grand finale on QIPCO British Champions Day. 

The new agreement will enable British Champions Series to make regular six-figure prize 

money increases on QIPCO British Champions Day. Significantly, the deal provides additional 

prize money incentives which elevate the sponsorship levels still further should any of the three 

non-Group 1 races on QIPCO British Champions Day be upgraded. 

The upgrading of these races remains a major short-term goal for the Series and its sponsor, 

with substantial prize money increases for these races set to follow as soon as this is achieved. 

A combination of planned prize money increases and upgrades to all three races could make a 

£4m QIPCO British Champions Day a reality as early as 2016. 

Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chief Executive of QIPCO Holding, said: 

“We believe that Britain hosts the world’s best horseracing. We respect and appreciate the 

heritage of the sport and we would like it to maintain its status as the most important and deep 

rooted in the world. 

“This new deal highlights our commitment to the sport in this country and our desire to make 

QIPCO British Champions Day the best day’s Flat racing in the international calendar. 

“We are still in the early stages of a journey which we hope will contribute to the overall 

wellbeing of top level Flat racing in this country for many years to come, with the subsequent 

benefits filtering down to the industry as a whole. 

“This objective complements our own expanding bloodstock and racing operation, in which we 

have made a very substantial, ongoing investment and which will continue to be based in the 

UK. 

“The deal reflects the very positive experience that we have enjoyed with British Racing to date, 

and the pleasure we derive from our association with Britain’s most famous and iconic race 

meetings such as the Guineas, Derby, Royal Ascot, Goodwood and York. 

46

“We believe that the British Champions Series helps to signpost Britain’s most important and 

prestigious races to a wider audience and are delighted that it has already contributed to a new 

broadcast deal for the sport starting in 2013.” 

Chris McFadden, Chairman of British Champions Series Limited, said: 

“This is fantastic news for British Horseracing. We are absolutely delighted with this new, longterm 

deal with QIPCO, which puts British Champions Series Limited on a firm financial footing 

and which will enable us to meet our commercial objectives. 

“Our shareholders have made a huge financial investment in delivering the Series and the Day, 

but none of this would have been possible without QIPCO Holding. 

“The Series is a partnership between QIPCO and British Racing and on behalf of everyone 

involved in the industry in this country, and in particular Newmarket and Goodwood who are 

thrilled to benefit from the long-term sponsorship of the Guineas Festival and Sussex Stakes, I 

would like to thank Sheikh Hamad and his brothers for their fantastic ongoing support.” 

Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series, said: 

“It took considerable effort and sacrifice to get the concept of British Champions Series and 

British Champions Day off the ground and QIPCO’s long term commitment reflects the benefits 

of such innovation. 

“Securing a major sponsor is part of virtuous circle of higher prize-money, high quality horses, 

customer participation and broadcast coverage, all of which safeguards the status of British Flat 

racing, and a five-year deal gives us the time and resource to grow the Series and Day further. 

“The inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day last October attracted six of the world’s ten 

highest-rated, active horses, something that no other raceday in the world could match last 

year, and it is vital that we increase prize money as much as possible going forwards to 

establish the day as a really serious player on the international stage.” 

47

QIPCO ANNOUNCES STRONG BACKING 

FOR YOUNG RIDING TALENT 

Apprentice race on QIPCO British Champions Day doubles in value 

plus races at Goodwood and Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival 

2 August 2012 - QIPCO Holding, which last week extended its sponsorship of the QIPCO 

British Champions Series for a further five years, is also to make a significant increase in its 

support for the future stars of British Flat racing, apprentice jockeys. 

Three races worth a total of £90,000, each called the QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices’ 

Handicap, will take place on three of the most high profile Saturdays in the Flat racing calendar, 

providing a platform for the profile of the next generation of jockeys to be developed for the 

benefit of both the riders and the racing public. 

Topping the bill will be the final race on Britain’s richest raceday, QIPCO British Champions Day 

at Ascot on Saturday 20 October. The seven furlong handicap doubles in value to £50,000, 

making it by far the most valuable race of its kind ever run in Britain and quite possibly the 

world, with QIPCO also offering a working holiday to the USA for the winning rider. 

In addition, QIPCO will sponsor the £15,000 apprentices’ race over nine furlongs at Glorious 

Goodwood this Saturday as well as supporting a brand new £25,000 apprentices’ handicap over 

five furlongs at York on the final day of the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival, Saturday 25 

August. 

The York contest will be the most valuable apprentices’ race ever run at the track and the first at 

the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, the course’s annual highlight. 

David Redvers, speaking on behalf of Sheikh Fahad and the Directors of QIPCO Holding, said: 

“Sheikh Fahad is a great believer in giving youth an opportunity and we are delighted to extend 

QIPCO’s support of the apprentice race on British Champions Day to valuable events at 

Goodwood and York. 

“These races on high profile days will provide opportunities for the sport to introduce to the 

racing public the stars of tomorrow. 

“Working together with British Champions Series we are committed to not only staging races 

where young riders can shine but to also promoting the accompanying human interest stories to 

the next generation of racegoers.” 

British Champions Series Chief Executive, Rod Street, said: “It is fantastic that the country’s 

most promising young riders will have the chance to showcase their talents on a big stage 

thanks to QIPCO’s support. 

“Apprentice jockeys are the future stars of the sport – you only have to look at the likes of 

Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore, Paul Hanagan, William Buick, Tom Queally, Jimmy Fortune and 

Hayley Turner, who were all crowned Champion Apprentice in their youth. 

“We want to make the most of this opportunity to raise the profile of some of Britain’s best young 

riders and we’ll be looking at a range of ways to put them in the public spotlight including 

newspaper and TV interviews and racecard profiles.” 

48

FRANKEL FEVER SELLS OUT PREMIER ADMISSION ON 

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY 

3 September 2012 - Premier Admission to Britain’s richest Flat raceday, QIPCO British 

Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 20 October, has sold out. 

The remaining tickets went this morning following a surge in sales after the £1.3m QIPCO 

Champion Stakes, Europe’s most valuable mile and a quarter contest, was confirmed as 

Frankel’s next target in what is likely to be his final racecourse appearance. 

Grandstand Admission tickets are still available at £26 each. They can be purchased online at 

www.ascot.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 727 1234. 

“The Frankel factor has clearly had a big impact on sales over the weekend and we are 

planning a very special farewell to the world’s greatest racehorse as he bids for the 14 th victory 

in his unbeaten career,” said Rod Street, Chief Executive of the British Champions Series 

Limited. 

“Last year we had six of the world’s top ten active racehorses taking part on the day and we 

have six of the current top ten entered again this year, so we’re looking to lay on another feast 

of world class racing over the five championship races. 

“With only a limited number of tickets remaining, a total advance sell-out looks certain so our 

message to potential racegoers is ‘don’t delay if you want to be part of this fantastic day’. 

“We will be holding discussions with Ascot in the coming week over the possibility of raising the 

Grandstand capacity beyond a total crowd of 30,000, but doing so in the autumn is a difficult 

task and our overriding aim is to give those racegoers who are lucky enough to have tickets the 

best possible experience on the day.” 

49

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY CAPACITY INCREASED 

TO 32,000 FOLLOWING INITIAL SELL-OUT 

1,500 tickets to a new Champions Bar facility, which includes access 

to the Premier Admission lawn, to go on sale tomorrow 

23 September 2012 - Following a sell-out of the original QIPCO British Champions Day 

capacity of 30,500 this weekend, four weeks in advance of Britain’s richest raceday, British 

Champions Series is pleased to announce that 1,500 additional spaces have been created at 

Ascot on Saturday 20 October. 

They are in a bespoke new temporary facility, the Champions Bar, to the west of the main 

grandstand. 

In all this increases capacity to 32,000 and that will be the cut off for admission on the day when 

five championship races will be run for prize money of £3m and the world’s best racehorse, 

Frankel, is expected to have the last race of his spectacular, unbeaten career. 

Admission to this new facility, which consists of a Grandstand ticket and a Champions Bar 

badge, is priced at £36, or £10 to existing Grandstand ticket holders, and will allow access to 

the Premier Admission lawn as well as the private marquee. 

For every upgrade sold to existing Grandstand ticket holders, a general Grandstand ticket will 

become available, so 1,500 additional racegoers can be accommodated on site. 

Tickets will go on sale at 9am tomorrow (Monday 24 September) on this Ascot ticket hotline 

only: 0844 346 3000. A maximum of four tickets will be sold per caller. 


"Notwithstanding the obvious additional interest generated by the Frankel factor, it is still a 

remarkable landmark for us to have sold out our original 30,500 capacity in year two of QIPCO 

British Champions Day so early. 

"We have worked closely with Ascot to decide on the final capacity of 32,000. The customer 

experience is paramount and the priority for us is that racegoers - many first time or not regular 

visitors - have an enjoyable and comfortable day and want to come back. 

“On top of the high-class racing action, we are going to have some superb attractions on the 

day and would like to encourage racegoers to arrive early and enjoy the occasion.” 

NOTE: The Champions Bar sold out on 28 September and the final Grandstand tickets 

freed up by existing ticket holders upgrading to the Champions Bar sold out on 1 

October. Under 18s can still get in free on the day if accompanied by an adult ticket 

holder. 

50

FRANKEL HEADS CHAMPION 17 

Dancing Rain all set to defend her crown 

3 October 2012 - The countdown to the second QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on 

Saturday, October 20 is now in full swing and the sense of anticipation ahead of British racing's 

richest day of the year steps up a gear today with the publication of the latest acceptors for the 

championship finales in each of the five categories of the QIPCO British Champions Series. 

MIDDLE DISTANCE 

All eyes will be on Frankel as the Khalid Abdulla-owned superstar makes what is likely to be the 

final start of his imperious career in the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes, Europe's most 

valuable mile and a quarter race. Unbeaten in 13 starts, Frankel handled the step up to 10 

furlongs with consummate ease in the Juddmonte International at York on August 22. 

Frankel was successful on QIPCO British Champions Day in 2011 in the mile Queen Elizabeth 

II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO and has to date won eight QIPCO British Champions Series 

races over the last two years. 

Opposition to Frankel in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, which has 17 going forward, looks very 

strong and is likely to provide him with the toughest assignment of his career. It includes last 

year's victor Cirrus des Aigles from France, the second highest-rated horse in the world this 

year after Frankel, as well as this season's Coral-Eclipse Stakes winner Nathaniel. 

In the World Thoroughbred Rankings, Nathaniel is the joint third highest-rated horse in the world 

this year and he came closest to beating Frankel when the pair were separated by half 

a length on their respective debuts two years ago in a maiden at Newmarket . 

The winners of this year's English, Irish, French and German Derbys have also all stood their 

ground at the forfeit stage. 

Camelot (English and Irish Derby winner as well as the QIPCO 2000 Guineas) is one of four 

entries for Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, who also has dual Investec Coronation Cup 

victor St Nicholas Abbey in the race. 

French Derby winner Saonois represents trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin, while German Derby 

winner, Pastorius, who runs in Berlin today, represents trainer Mario Hofer. 

In addition to Cirrus des Aigles and Saonois, French interest is also provided by Etihad Airways 

Falmouth Stakes heroine Giofra. 

MILE 

The £1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Europe's richest mile race, has 13 going forward 

including Excelebration who has finished runner-up to Frankel on four occasions, including in 

this race 12 months ago, but gained a deserved Group One victory at Deauville in August. 

51

The Queen could be represented in the race named in her honour by the 2011 Derby third 

Carlton House while Cityscape, brilliant winner of the Dubai Duty Free in March and second to 

Excelebration at Deauville, is set to take on that rival once again. 

The one remaining filly is the ultra-consistent Elusive Kate from the John Gosden stable who 

was third to Excelebration and Cityscape at Deauville. 

FILLIES AND MARES 

Dancing Rain was an impressive winner on QIPCO British Champions Day in 2011 when 

making all the running to land the inaugural £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies And 

Mares Stakes over a mile and a half. The four-year-old Danehill Dancer filly, who also won last 

season's Investec Oaks for trainer William Haggas, has been absent with injury so far in the 

current campaign but is firmly on course to defend her crown at Ascot on October 20. 

Liam Norris, who purchased Dancing Rain and oversees the racing interests of owners Martin 

and Lee Taylor, revealed: "The QIPCO British Champions Fillies And Mares Stakes is where we 

want to go with Dancing Rain and she is on target for the race. 

"She had two small chips removed from both front fetlock joints earlier in the season. She came 

back to me after that and we nursed her back through. She did really well. 

"She looks fantastic now and is a big, strong filly - much bigger than she was last year. 

"We were going to go to York with her which was her aim but she just had a couple of niggly 

muscle issues that shoved her back a little. We just had to go steady with her. 

"We took her to Kempton last week and gave her a spin. She worked with Beaten Up and blew 

for 25 minutes afterwards so she needed it. But she is in good form now and we are keeping 

everything crossed that we will have her at Ascot on October 20. 

"She might be a bit rusty but she likes the track and won the race last year." 

Also among the 24 acceptors for the £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies And Mares 

Stakes are this season's Investec Oaks heroine Was as well as impressive Irish Oaks scorer 

Great Heavens, who is a full-sister to Nathaniel, Princess Highway, who scored over the 

course and distance in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, and the in-form Wild Coco. 

LONG DISTANCE 

A cracking contest is in store for the opening race on QIPCO British Champions Day, the 

£200,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup over two miles. 

The 25 acceptors for this contest include last season's victor Fame And Glory, plus the winners 

of four contests in the Stayer Category this season - Colour Vision (Gold Cup at Royal Ascot), 

Saddler's Rock (Artemis Goodwood Cup) and Times Up (Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup 

and Stobart Doncaster Cup). If Times Up were to succeed, it would bring down the curtain 

perfectly on the career of John Dunlop, who retires at the end of the season. 

52

SPRINT 

The second race on QIPCO British Champions Day is the £250,000 QIPCO British Champions 

Sprint Stakes over six furlongs. 

The 32 acceptors include course specialist Society Rock, who gained a Series victory last time 

out in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park and represents the stable of James Fanshawe, 

who landed the honours in this race last year with Deacon Blues. 

Mayson, who won another of the Series races, the Darley July Cup, also remains engaged, 

together with a host of other high-class sprinters including last year's runner-up, Wizz 

Kid, Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes runner-up, Spirit Quartz, and the close third from the 

Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Restiadargent. Dandy Boy, who won the Wokingham Handicap at 

Royal Ascot in a faster time than the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, also remains engaged. 

All five championship races on QIPCO British Champions Day are run with Group One 

conditions (there are no penalties to be carried in the two Group Two and one Group Three 

race). 


"The QIPCO Champion Stakes could be the race of the year - so far Frankel hasn't scared 

anything off and the other four championship races also look very strong. We are all set for a 

truly memorable raceday." 

53

Contact List 

ALISTAIR HAGGIS (Head of Racing PR, British Champions Series): 

Email: ahaggis@britishchampionsseries.com Tel: +44 7761 896 500 

NICK ATTENBOROUGH (Director of Consumer PR, British Champions Series/Racing For 

Change): 

Email: nattenborough@racingenterpriseslimited.co.uk Tel: + 44 7714 146 528 

AMY GRANTHAM (Senior PR Manager, British Champions Series/Racing For Change): 

Email: agrantham@racingenterpriseslimited.co.uk Tel: + 447554 400150 

NICK SMITH (Head of Communications, Ascot Racecourse): 

Email: nick.smith@ascot.co.uk Tel: +44 7771 791 449 

JOHN MAXSE (for all matters relating to QIPCO HOLDING): 

Email: jmaxse@mac.com Tel: +44 7785 243 232 

FOR MEDIA ACCREDITATION FOR QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY, ASCOT, 

SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2012: 

OLIVIA HILLS (Press Officer, Ascot Racecourse): 

olivia.hills@ascot.co.uk Tel: +44 1344 878 508 

PLEASE NOTE: 

Metal RCA Press Badges are valid for entrance to Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day, 

Saturday 20 th October. They will also allow access to the level two press room and lawn level 

media centre. 

Accreditation for photographers is now closed. 

Only members of the national and international racing / sports media are permitted to enter the 

Parade Ring area. 

54

Frankel, king of all he surveys

QIPCO British Champions Day 2012 Media Guide - Ascot Racecourse

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